D-Braves pitcher Matt Crim reaches milestone in win

Danville Braves pitcher Matt Crim became the first Appalachian League pitcher since 1997 to win 10 games in a season as he three-hit the Greeneville Astros over six innings in a 4-1 Friday night at Dan Daniel Memorial Park.

The Braves improved to 40-17, while Greeneville fell to 22-34. Danville lowered its magic number to three against both Princeton and Bluefield, both of which won on Friday.

The Braves scored one run in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings to methodically put away the Astros. In the first, L.V. Ware walked to lead off and moved to third on a Mycal Jones grounder to third. Astros third baseman Jonathan Meyer swung the ball to second, but second baseman Miguel Arrendell let the ball slide through his glove into the outfield, allowing the runners to go to second and third. Cory Harrilchak’s sacrifice fly gave Danville a 1-0 lead.

In the second, Jordan Kreke and Matt Weaver singled to put runners on the corners. Braves manager Paul Runge started Weaver to second and on the throw-through, Kreke came home to score, despite Weaver getting thrown out at second.

In the fourth, Osman Marval scored on a Kreke RBI-fielder’s choice. In the fifth, Jones singled and stole second. He then got a huge jump trying to steal third and Harrilchak grounded out on the pitch, but Jones flew around third and scored sliding in with Danville’s fourth run of the night.

Crim dominated in his entire outing, stranding only two runners. The most trouble he was in came in the first when Arrendell led off by drawing a walk. He moved around to third on a sacrifice and a groundout, but Crim got Meyer to strikeout to end the threat.

Crim (10-0) allowed just three hits in six shutout innings to pick up the win in his eighth straight start. He walked one and struck out four. In his next start, he will look for more history by going for his 11th win, a feat last accomplished by Clint Thomas, who did it for Bluefield in 1976.

Edigson Mora picked up his first save, going the final three innings, allowing one run on two hits with no walks and five strikeouts. Juri Perez (3-1) took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits.

Marval, Robby Hefflinger and Kreke had two hits apiece. Marval, Weaver, and Christian Bethancourt all extended hitting streaks to six games.

Today, the Braves send Cory Rasmus (3-2, 3.35 ERA) to the hill against Greeneville lefty Angel Gonzalez (3-4, 9.16 ERA). Rasmus is working on a string of 14 consecutive hitless innings. The Mayberry Deputy will be making an appearance at the ballpark, as well.

Appy League title series tickets on sale

With their magic number dwindled down to five, the Danville Braves have put Appalachian League Championship Series general admission tickets on sale for ALCS Games 2 and 3. By hosting the final two games of the series, fans can be assured that the Appy League title will be won in Danville this season. It will be the first time the Braves have played in the championship series since 2007. Danville won its only title in 2006.

Game 2 will be played on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m., and if necessary, Game 3 will be played on Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $6.50, while youth (14 and under) and senior (60 and over) GA tickets are $5.50.

General admission tickets can be purchased at the Braves office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling the Braves at (434) 797-3792. Fans can also purchase playoff GA tickets at the customer service tent until the seventh inning on game nights.

Reserve tickets will go on sale to the public on Wednesday for $8.50.

Miles promoted

The Danville Braves announced that outfielder Kuyaunnis Miles has been promoted to Class-A Rome. Atlanta’s 2007 21st-round pick was hitting .197 (15-76) in 30 games for the D-Braves. He also added two doubles, one triple, two home runs and six RBI with Danville. The left-handed hitter also spent 26 games with Danville in 2008. This will be his first stint in Rome.