Streaking Braves Cruise to Sixth Straight Victory; Turks Drop Third Straight

By Chase Kiddy | Harrisonburg Turks Staff Writer

W: Blake Ream (3-1)
L: Garrett Ford (4-2)

 

The Staunton Braves swooped into Veterans Memorial Park Thursday night, getting whatever they wanted offensively and handing the Turks their third loss in as many games.

Harrisonburg (17-10) gave up a lead-off single or double in each of the first four innings; not coincidentally, Staunton scored at least one run in each of the first four innings.

By the end of the game, Staunton had reeled off 11 hits, and the one run the Turks managed — a beautiful RBI double by Brandon Gold, whose ball would have dropped six inches in foul territory if not for Braves right fielder Elliott McCummings trying to make a play on it — felt more ceremonial than legitimate.

Staunton’s Blake Ream pitched a gem, going the full nine frames and allowing one run on three hits. He struck out eight batters.

Garrett Ford takes the loss for Harrisonburg. He was tagged with all six runs in 3.2 innings of action.

 

Thursday night was a battle between teams going in the opposite direction. Staunton (15-11) has the longest winning streak in the Valley, not having lost since dropping a game to league-best Front Royal back on June 30.

Harrisonburg, meanwhile, has lost all three games its played since the All-Star Break — a 6-4 loss to the aforementioned Cardinals on Monday, paired with back-to-back 6-1 losses to Charles Town and Staunton.

The Turks can try to end their losing ways when they host the Aldie Senators on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30pm.

 

 

Chase Kiddy has served as the Harrisonburg Turks’ staff writer since Spring 2012. Contact him at ckiddy09@gmail.com, or yell at him in the press box during home games at Veterans Memorial Park.