WP: Johnson (2-0)- 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 Ks
LP: Brown (0-1)- 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
STAUNTON, Va., June 16, 2015 – Despite outhitting the Braves 14 to seven, the Turks were defeated in Staunton on Tuesday night by a score of 5-4. The victory moves the Braves to a league-best record of 9-1 while the Turks fall to 6-4.
Staunton’s Ryan Crile started the bottom of the ninth with a double and was followed with a single by Jordan Taylor. Then, after pinch-runner Jack Schaaf came on for Taylor at first, Will Kinney scored them both due to an error by Turks’ first baseman Aaron Dodson to complete the walk-off victory.
Kale Morton once again had a solid outing with a touch of bad luck on the hill. After allowing five runs (none of which were earned) in his first outing of the season, he allowed three runs (all unearned) on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts in this outing. Eric Yankey tossed two more scoreless innings of relief, keeping his ERA at 0.00 through seven innings this season. Tyler Brown would be called on for the save but unfortunately was unable to shut the door against a very tough Braves team.
The Turks offensive prowess was shown in full force once again as the team collected double-digit hits game for the sixth time in the first 10 games of the season. Eight out of nine Turks hitters had at least one hit, but with 14 hits and 3 walks on the night, the 12 runners left on base would be a problem.
Jesse Baker of the University of Texas- San Antonio got the start in right field and batted cleanup for the Turks in his season debut. He was impressive, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and will look to build upon that going forward.
Braves starting pitcher Jake Perkins had a bend-but-don’t-break mentality all game and it worked. The Appomattox, Virginia native allowed 10 hits and a walk over six innings of two-run baseball to give his team a chance and they took it. Parker Johnson followed up Perkins with two runs allowed over three innings in relief to get the win.
Jordan Taylor was the most impressive Brave from the plate, going 3-for-3 with a run scored and a walk. Pinch-runner Jack Shaaf would account for the game winning run in the ninth after he came in to run for Taylor following a single to right.
It was a tough loss for the Turks against the division leads Staunton Braves (9-1), but one of the great things about baseball is that you can only think about a loss for so long before you have another game.
The Turks return to action Wednesday night when they travel to Strasburg to take on the North division-leading Express. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will conclude the Turks’ four game road trip.