Fourth-Consecutive Walk-Off Not in the Cards

COLUMBIA, SC – The Fireflies used some late inning magic to tie the game in the ninth, but couldn’t come away with the win, falling 5-4 to Salem in 10 innings Saturday night in front of their second sell-out crowd in the month of August.

The winning-run scored in the top of the 10th inning. With two outs, Luis Barroso (L, 4-7) threw a wild pitch, advancing placed runner Eddison Paulino from second to third base. On the next pitch, Yorberto Mejicano bounced a ball up the middle to put Salem (25-27) in front 5-4.

Columbia (29-23) tied the game in the home half of the ninth. Lizandro Rodriguez drew a one-out walk and David Hollie singled to set things up for the top-half of the line-up. With two outs, Omar Hernandez singled to score Rodriguez and tie the game 4-4.

Brainer Bonaci was the difference maker in Saturday’s game, he launched a pair of round-trippers, in the fifth and seventh, driving in three runs to give Salem their first lead of the game.

Guillermo Quintana helped the Fireflies take the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, launching his eighth homer of the season to left field to score Rodriguez. It was Quintana’s first homer since July 8.

The Fireflies started the scoring in the bottom of the first. Jean Ramirez led-off the game with a bunt single, before swiping second. After a wild pitch, he scored on a sacrifice fly from Hernandez.

Fireflies starter, Shane Panzini worked four innings, fanning half a dozen batters while allowing only a single run before handing the ball to Columbia’s pen.

The Fireflies close out their series with the Salem Red Sox tomorrow night at Segra Park at 5:05 pm. RHP Luinder Avila (5-9, 4.72 ERA) gets the nod for Columbia and Salem counters with righty Juan Daniel Encarnacion (10-4, 4.31 ERA).

Tomorrow is a Sunday Funday at Segra Park. We’ll have a player autograph session when gates open at 4 pm and following the game, kids can run the bases! Tickets are still available at FirefliesTickets.com.