Lara’s Quality Start, Salem’s Defensive Lapses Push GreenJackets to Win

*Lara’s Quality Start, Salem’s Defensive Lapses Push GreenJackets to Win
*Jhancarlos Lara records quality start, Magee brings home two as Augusta evens series

*Salem, VA* – The Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves) capitalized on poor opposing fielding, picking up a 6-4 win against the Salem Red Sox (Boston Red Sox) on Wednesday. Salem (17-21, 47-54) outhit Augusta 10-4, but Augusta (17-21, 48-55) scored six unearned runs in the middle innings and got a stellar start from Jhancarlos Lara to even up the series a game apiece.

Jhancarlos Lara got the nod for Augusta opposed by Jose Ramirez. Augusta left a man aboard in each of the first two innings, while Lara induced a double play in first and got two outfield assists after singles in the second to keep the score tied at zero. In the top of the third, Tyler Collins walked and Ambioris Tavarez singled, Cam Magee laid down a bunt, and Salem catcher Enderso Lira threw the ball away, scoring both runs.

The GreenJackets were not done there, as in the top of the fourth Augusta got walks from Will Verdung III and Kade Kern, before Ambioris Tavarez reached on another Salem error to score one. With men at second and third after the error, Magee lasered a ball off the center field wall to score two, putting Augusta on top 5-0. In the fifth, Drew Compton reached on yet another error, and scored on Verdung III’s sacrifice fly, giving the GreenJackets a 6-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Jhancarlos Lara continued to shove, closing off the sixth inning with a pair of strikeouts. Lara’s six inning outing is the longest of his career, and his eight strikeouts is the second most for him this season. Zack Austin made his debut in the seventh, but struggled with command, as the former UCF man walked three and hit one while giving up three runs in just 0.2 innings.

Landon Harper entered in relief, and needed just one pitch in the seventh to strand two men aboard. After giving up a solo homer in the eighth to make it 6-4, Harper returned for the ninth, and despite surrendering a pair of two-out singles the former Southern Miss man was able to close the door and secure the save. The 6-4 win marks the first win for Augusta since the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader.

Augusta remains on the road for a two-week trip to the commonwealth of Virginia to take on the Salem Red Sox (Boston Red Sox) and Fredericksburg Nationals (Washington Nationals), before returning home for the final 12 games at SRP Park this year! Don’t miss out on your final chance to see the 2023 GreenJackets in action! To purchase tickets and learn more about the upcoming promotions, games, and more, visit https://www.milb.com/augusta/fans/gj-homestand-preview..

About SRP Park/Augusta GreenJackets

The Augusta GreenJackets are the Single-A affiliate Atlanta Braves. 2023 Augusta GreenJackets single game tickets are on sale now for the final four homestands. To learn more about the benefits and to lock in your seat to cheer on the Braves of tomorrow, visit www.gjmembers.com or call (803) 349-WINS (9467). For tickets, team merchandise, and more information visit www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.

SRP Park is the anchor piece of Riverside Village, a live, work, “playball" development which includes apartment living, retail, restaurants, class "A" office space, and a Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center. To learn more about SRP Park and hosting events and availability, visit www.thesrppark.com.

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