Published: July 10, 2009 10:53 am      

Princeton takes 2 of 3 at Danville

DANVILLE — Princeton traveled to Danville and played the tough Braves’ squad on July 2—4. The Braves won the first game 5-4, but Princeton was victorious in the next two contests, 3-2 and 3-1.



DANVILLE—5, RAYS—4

Going into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Rays held a 4-1 advantage. That was when their usually reliable relief corps faltered, and the Braves pushed four runs across the plate to secure the win.

Princeton got on the scoreboard in the second inning, as Julio Cedeno doubled to left field and advanced to third base on a groundout. Tomas Francisco doubled to right field, and Cedeno scurried across home plate.

The Rays tallied two more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Ryan Wiegand singled and scored on James Patton’s triple to right. Francisco reached first base on an error and Patton scored.

Princeton concluded its scoring in the top of the sixth inning with a run. Ramon Novas singled to left and then stole second base. Francisco again reached first base on a Braves’ miscue. He stole second base and Novas scored.

Starter Joey Dettrich was effective on the mound. He worked five innings, yielded four hits, allowed one run, struck out four batters, and did not issue a walk.



RAYS—3, DANVILLE—2

In the second game of the series, Princeton got back in the winning column with a victory over Danville.

Outfielder Ty Morrison paced the Rays’ attack with three hits and two RBIs.

In the top of the seventh inning, Tomas Francisco and Seth Henry singled. Morrison’s hit to center drove Francisco home. Henry advanced to second base and scored later on a groundout.

Kyle Spraker and Henry walked in the ninth inning. Morrison drilled a single to center, scoring Spraker.

Julio Cedeno collected two base knocks. Other Rays recording hits were James Patton (with a triple) and Cody Rogers.

Starter Jason McEachern had another excellent outing although he surrendered a solo home run. (The Rays lead the league in fewest home runs allowed.) McEachern toiled six innings and permitted the one run. In three appearances this season, Jason has struck out 15 batters and has not given up a walk.

Jairo Delarosa and James Hill pitched well in relief. Delarosa earned the victory while Hill registered a save.



RAYS—3, DANVILLE—1

For the first seven innings, the two teams were locked up in a scoreless pitching duel. In the eighth inning, the Rays tallied three runs with two outs. Cody Rogers singled and Ryan Wiegand and Julio Cedeno walked. James Patton blasted a triple to right field scoring his three teammates. (Patton is tied for the league lead in triples with three.) The Braves tallied a run in the bottom of the inning, but the Rays held on to win the game as well as the series. The Rays managed only five hits during the game. Princeton’s others hitters were Wiegand, Cedeno and Kyle Spraker.

The four Princeton hurlers (Wilking Rodriguez, Tyler Oakes, Matt Stablefeld, and Deives Mavarez) pitched magnificently. They combined to allow one run on four hits. Oakes got the win while Stablefeld was credited with a hold, and Mavarez recorded the save.