Braves leave nine runners on base, plate only two runs in loss to Whitecaps

Braves leave nine runners on base, plate only two runs in loss to Whitecaps

By: Nick Galle 

Everything has seemingly been going right for Austin Parsley this season. As one of the Braves’ nine All-Stars, the right-hander entered Friday night’s contest with only one walk through 22 1/3 innings, 29 strikeouts and a measly ERA of 2.41. The UNC Greensboro Spartan kept the train rolling against the Whitecaps, throwing 13 of his first 15 pitches for strikes, and he never took his foot of the gas.

Parsley went four innings, gave up one hit, one unearned run and struck seven in his first start since July 23. He threw 77% of his pitches for strikes and constantly attacked the Brewster lineup, often finding himself ahead in the count.

“This summer is just me coming into the zone and just attacking the hitters. It’s a wood-bat league, so the hitters are going to hit it. They have to capitalize on the bad pitches that I do make, but overall I’ve just been attacking the zone with all three pitches,” Parsley said. “Being able to develop my slider more and more throughout the summer has helped me be more efficient attacking the hitters.”

Bourne’s offense wasn’t enough though, as the Caps squeaked by with a 3-2 win at Doran Park. Max Anderson and Tanner Schobel each had an RBI double, but Tony Bullard’s two-RBI single in the top of the eighth drove in what would end up being the game-winning run.

With his 2-for-3 performance, Schobel is now on a seven-game hit streak, batting .458 during that span.

“I’m just seeing good pitches. I know I’ve been striking out a little bit, but I’m trying to take the bad pitches and swing at the good ones,” Schobel said. “I’m just trying to see good pitches and hit good pitches.”

Along with Schobel, two other Braves had a pair of hits. Nick Goodwin went 2-for-4 with one run scored and Anderson went 2-for-5 with a double, one RBI and one run scored.

The Bravos outhit the Whitecaps 8-4, but left nine runners on base. They had the tying run on first base in the bottom of the ninth, but could not capitalize on the opportunity to earn a point in the standings.

“I think that we’re facing really good arms for one thing. I mean there was no easy matchups with both the starter for Brewster and the guys that came out of the pen,” assistant coach Kevin Graber said. “I think we could do a little bit better job hitting situationally. I can’t say what that might be tangibly speaking, but just something we got to do a better job with.”

The Bravos will make their way across the bridge tomorrow night at 6:45 p.m. for a matchup with Wareham. Bourne is 3-0 against the Gatemen this season and has outscored them 5-0 through two games at Spillane Field.

Cover photo via: Joe Sullivan