Braves Can’t Conjure up Rally in a Loss to Falmouth

By: Jacob Janower

The clock struck midnight on the Bourne Braves’ late inning magic, as it expired on Tuesday in a 6-2 loss to the Falmouth Commodores.

In each of their last four games, the Braves (18-17) had rallied from a deficit, but they simply had no answer for the Commodores (18-17-1) starter Cody Shelton (Sanford) or the majority of the four relievers that they threw.

Sanford tossed 4 and 1/3 scoreless innings in his CCBL debut and rarely ran into any trouble. The Braves only run prior to the ninth inning was manufactured when Grant Williams (Kennesaw State) doubled, advanced to third, and was driven in on a two-out single by Richie Palacios (Towson).

Palacios added his first home run of the season after the lead was out of reach in the ninth inning. He was the only Brave who registered a multi-hit game.

The win was No. 400 in the career of Commodores’ manager Jeff Trundy.

Although the score didn’t go in the Braves favor, they still finished the season series against the Commodores (18-17-1) having won four of the six games.

High-Powered Falmouth Offense Puts Braves Away

For the second straight game, a Braves starting pitcher cruised initially before Falmouth adjusted and brought home runs the second time around the order.

Daniel Bies (Gonzaga) retired the first six hitters that he faced, but struggled once the third inning began. He allowed two hits, one walk, two stolen bases, and three runs in the frame to a Commodores offense that entered the night second in the CCBL in runs scored. He didn’t get much help from his defense either, as the final run of the third scored on a fielding error.

Falmouth threatened again in the fourth inning, but the bases loaded threat was eradicated by a double play and a popout.

In total, Bies was stung for three runs (two earned) in four innings, not his best outing by any means, but it could have been a lot worse considering the circumstances. It was the first time this summer that he did not complete five innings pitched in a start.

The Commodores continued to pour it on against reliever Christian Ryder (Georgia). The first three hitters singled off him to start the fifth and Alec Bohm (Wichita State) continued his demolition of the CCBL with his league-leading 27th RBI.

Trevor Larnach (Oregon State) followed with a run-scoring single of his own.

Right-hander Nick Johnson eventually settled the Commodores offense down with two scoreless innings and five strikeouts.

Scoreboard Watching

While the loss was not ideal for the Braves in what will certainly be a competitive stretch run in the West Division, they dropped only to second place, which was not the worst-case scenario for them, considering the Cotuit Kettleers lost as well. They are only one point behind the first-place Commodores.

Stat That Mattered

The Braves continued to scuffle with runners in scoring position, going only 1-for-9 against the Commodores pitching staff, which is second in the CCBL in runs allowed.

Palacios’ run-scoring single was the only hit they had in such situations.

Brave of the Game

Palacios was the only big-time offensive contributor, with the home run and single in four at-bats.

He has been catching fire as of late, with eight hits in last 19 at-bats.

Coming Up: On Wednesday, the Braves will wrap up their season series against the Orleans Firebirds, who currently hold the best record in the CCBL. Andrew Crane (Troy) will get the start at Doran Park.