GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 20, 2018) - Taylor Braley struck out a career-high nine batters over 7.0 strong innings to pitch the Grasshoppers to a 2-1 win over the Charleston RiverDogs on a FANomenal Fireworks Friday presented by Lincoln Financial and Rock 92 at First National Bank Field. Braley, the Marlins sixth
GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 20, 2018) - Taylor Braley struck out a career-high nine batters over 7.0 strong innings to pitch the Grasshoppers to a 2-1 win over the Charleston RiverDogs on a FANomenal Fireworks Friday presented by Lincoln Financial and Rock 92 at First National Bank Field. Braley, the Marlins sixth round pick out of Souther Miss in the June 2017 First-Year Player Draft, kept Charleston off the board over the game's first five innings to set the tone early.
Braley (1-1), who pitched and played third base in college, finished with one run allowed on seven hits and a walk to go along with his nine strikeouts, nearly doubling his total (five) from his previous two starts. He earned the win while reliever Dustin Beggs tossed 2.0 scoreless innings and struck out three for the save (1).
With the game tied 0-0 in the top of the sixth, Charleston's Chris Hess belted a solo home run (5) to straight away center field for a 1-0 lead. Greensboro wasted little time returning fire.
In the home half of the sixth, Aaron Knapp smashed a one-out triple to center field and scored one batter later on a Jose Devers base hit. After a passed ball moved Devers to second base, the speedy infielder stole third, putting the pressure on RiverDogs pitcher Dalton Lehnen. Later in the inning, with two on and two out, Lehnen uncorked a wild pitch, bringing in Devers for the go-ahead run and a 2-1 Hoppers lead.
The Grasshoppers continue this 4-game series on Saturday as RHP Edward Cabrera (0-1, 0.82 ERA) takes the mound against Charleston's LHP JP Sears (0-1, 2.25 ERA) at 7:00 p.m. Saturday's game features postgame fireworks presented by Cone Health. Tickets are available online at gsohoppers.com.
