Top Storylines
- Moises Amezquita closes out the night with 2.2 innings of one-run relief to save any additional arms for the Fireflies.
- Tyson Moran has scored a run in each of his first two Fireflies games
- Wilson scores the last 11 runs after Columbia jumped out to a 3-1 lead. 17 of the last 18 Fireflies who came up to the plate were retired.
WILSON, N.C. — Tyson Moran scored another run for the Fireflies in a 12-3 loss to the Wilson Warbirds Thursday night at Wilson Ballpark. He now has scored in each of his first two games after being promoted from the ACL.
The Fireflies jumped out to a 3-1 lead early before Wilson scored 11 unasnwered to close out the game, beginning with a five-run third inning. The Fireflies staff surrendered the 12 runs on only eight hits. Four runs came across as unearned, three of which belonged to the bullpen. Wilson dominated on both sides of the ball as they retired 17 of the last 18 Fireflies batters prior to the end of the game.
Play-by-Play
Wilson took the wind out of the sales of the Fireflies in the bottom of the third inning. Ryan McDonagh (L, 2-4) was ushered after the field after allowing five-consecutive Wilson Warbirds to reach—four on the free pass. Handelfry Encarnacion had an RBI double and Pedro Ibarguen had a two RBI single to push Wilson to a 6-3 advantage after a five run inning where nine came up for the home team.
After that, Wilson tacked on three runs in the fourth inning and two runs in the fifth before Brailyn Antunez clobbered a solo homer over the scoreboard in left field to cap off the scoring for the War Birds.
Moises Amezquita was the most effective pitcher for the Fireflies on the night. He spun 2.2 innings and allowed just the solo shot to score. He also stranded an inherited runner. Three of Columbia’s four relievers inherited runners and Amezquita was the only one to strand a runner.
The Fireflies cracked the score column in the first inning. Camden Johnson and Yandel Ricardo slapped back-to-back singles to start the game, then Josh Hammond and JC Vanek drew walks to plate Johnson to break the scoreless tie. Columbia only scored one in the first, but they forced starter Jarrette Bonet to toss 28 pitches before the Warbirds first offensive opportunity.
Wilson was able to match the score in the home half. Brady Ebel got things started with a one out double to left. The next batter, Brailyn Antunez was able to squeek a slow rolling single past first to plate Ebel and tie the game 1-1.
Columbia clawed ahead again in the second frame. Tyson Moran walked and came around on a Ricson Gonzalez double to push the Fireflies in front 2-1. Later, Yandel Ricardo lifted a sacrifice fly to the track in left to score Gonzalez and make it a 3-1 advantage.
Despite a tough start, Jarrette Bonet rebounded to earn his seventh win on the season. He finished the night with five innings of work with only the three runs against him. After that, Joey Boughton (S, 2) spun four scoreless innings to earn the save in a blowout win.
On-Deck
Columbia continues their series with the Wilson Warbirds tomorrow at Wilson Ballpark at 7:05 pm. RHP Coleman Picard (1-2, 3.49 ERA) takes the bump for Columbia and Wilson counters with RHP Miqueas Mercedes (2-1, 3.16 ERA).
The Fireflies close out their home slate with a 12-game homestand from August 18-30. The two-week stretch is riddled with fun promotions like Synchronized Hippos Night Thursday, August 20, Faith & Family Night with a pre-game Sam Wesley Concert Saturday, August 22, Harry Potter Night with a Mason Wizard Bobblehead giveaway, Saturday, August 29 and Fan Appreciation Night Sunday, August 30. Don’t miss out on the last chance to catch the Fireflies at Segra Park this season. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.