Braves defeat Angels in Bronco League; Pinto League wrapup
Bronco League
The visiting Braves defeated the Angels 8-2 on Monday. The Braves started off in the 1st inning with a single from Tyler Lerma, a walk to Ben Hartl, a single by Jackson Gion, and an RBI sacrifice by Jordan Santiago to take a 3-0 lead. The Angels were unable to score in the first inning, with Braves’ shortstop Gion accounting for all the outs with two grounders and a fly ball hit to him.
The Angels’ defense stiffened in the second inning, with pitcher Clayton Howard getting all the outs on a grounder back to the mound and two strikeouts. The Angels were still unable to generate any offense in the second inning, starting off with a grounder to Braves’ third baseman Hartl, who fired across the diamond to 1st baseman Isaac Allen for the out. After allowing a baserunner with a walk, Braves’ catcher Lerma fired to shortstop Gion on second base to catch the runner stealing, and a strikeout by pitcher Ethan Mata finished the inning.
The Braves added a run in the top of the third inning, but good defense from the Angels prevented more runs. The Braves loaded the bases with a leadoff walk and singles by Lerma and Hartl, but a grounder back to Angels’ pitcher Howard allowed a throw back to catcher Jim Hagan for the out at the plate.
A single by Santiago scored Lerma, but the next batter hit a line drive straight to Angels’ first baseman John Forestieri, who stepped on the bag before the runner could get back for an unassited double play to end the inning with only the single run scored. However, the Angels were still unable to generate any offense, hitting two grounders back to the mound and yielding a strikeout to Braves’ pitcher, Mata.
The Angels’ defense returned the favor in the top of the fourth inning, dropping the Braves in order with a great catch by first baseman Nelson Pyle in foul territory, long fly balls to left fielder Tyler Pederson and center fielder Howard. After starting the bottom of the inning with a strikeout, the Angels finally generated some offense on a single from Mitchell Pasek, who stole second and scored on a double by Howard into left field.
Howard got caught attempting to steal third when Braves’ catcher Lerma fired to third baseman Hartl to just nab Howard on an outside slide. Lerma then caught a foul pop fly to end the inning with the Braves ahead, 4-1.
The Braves broke the game open in the fifth inning. After a leadoff out on an infield fly ball, a walk and singles by Lerma, Hartl, Gion, and Santiago scored three runs and may have scored more, but Angels pitcher Conor Havstad and third baseman Pasek caught a runner on third base in a rundown. A strikeout by Havstad ended the inning.
The Angels got one run back in the bottom of the inning on a single by Pasek, who stole second and third and scored on a sacrifice by Bradly Morris. The Braves got that run back in the top of the sixth inning, but again, the Angels’ defense prevented more runs; a leadoff double from Isaac Allen, a walk to Andrew Martinez and a single from Mata loaded the bases.
But the next hit went to Angels’ first baseman Pyle, who relayed back to catcher Havstad for a force out at home. A single by Tommy Piedra scored Martinez, but then a difficult fly ball that dropped between second and third allowed Angels’ shortstop Forestieri, 1st baseman Pyle, and catcher Havstad to record a double play to end the inning.
The Braves’ defense again kept the Angels from scoring in the bottom of the inning, starting with two strikeouts from relief pitcher Santiago. After a single by the Angels’ Pyle, who stole second and third, a grounder back to the mound ended the inning with no score for the Angels.
The Angels’ defense again played heads-up ball in the top of the seventh inning. After a leadoff out on a fly ball to first baseman Pyle, the Braves put a runner on second base with a double. But Angels’ shortstop Forestieri recorded his second solo double play of the afternoon by catching a sharply hit line drive and racing back to second base before the runner could tag up.
The Braves’ defense again did the job in the bottom of the inning. After a leadoff strikeout by pitcher Santiago, a single by the Angels’ Hagan and a walk to Pasek put two runners on the bases. But back-to-back grounders to shortstop Gion ended the inning and gave the Braves an 8-2 victory.
Pinto League Highlights
Visiting Team: Mets
Home Team: Giants
Visiting Team Pitchers: Jack Baker, Zach Herscovitch, Ken Williams, Caleb Duarte who made quite a debut on the mound – hamming it up and looking like a pro.
Giants Nice Plays:
Player Pitcher Jack Baker strikes out the 1st batter in the first inning.
Giants Team Key Hits:
Austin Calbert hit a pop fly in the bottom of the 2nd inning and got an RBI Eddie Steffani and Zach Herscovitch had two good hits each Dante Zanotto had a good hit.
