Bombers capitalize on Jackets' miscues

Errors and stranded runners are often the recipe for a loss in baseball.

That was the case Friday night at L ake Olmstead Stadium. The GreenJackets made three errors, including a costly one in the 10th, and left 10 on base en route to losing their sixth straight game. The Capital City Bombers beat the GreenJackets 7-5 in 10 innings in front of a lively crowd, who were eagerly awaiting the post-game fireworks show.

Ryan Harvey led things off in the 10th with a single for the Bombers. Augusta reliever Milton Tavarez got Brian Wilson to hit a fly ball to left field, but it bounced off Mickey Hall's glove for an error. Jesus Linares moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt and Tavarez intentionally walked Shawn Bowman to load the bases.

And unlike when the GreenJackets stranded the bases full and the game tied in the eighth, the Bombers capitalized. Jamar Hill singled to left to score Harvey and give the Bombers a 6-5 lead and Wilson scored on a fielder's choice by Rashad Parker. Hill was out at second, but not on the force, which he beat. But he stepped off the bag thinking he was out and was tagged out by shortstop Dirimo Chavez.

The GreenJackets tried to play small ball in the bottom of the 10th, but Clint Chauncey's attempt at a sacrifice bunt went straight to reliever Greg Ramirez, who threw to third to get Justin McClain. Kevin Jordan grounded into a double play to end the game.

Capital City reliever Bryan King made things interesting in the bottom of the eighth. The right-hander walked Tim Burgess and hit McClain to start the inning. Hall grounded out to King to advance the runners, and King walked Chauncey to load the bases.

The Bombers brought in Ramirez only to have him walk Jordan to score Burgess for the 5-5 tie. Ramirez recovered to strike out Peter Ciofrone and get Chavez to ground out, and the GreenJackets stranded the bases loaded.

The Bombers took a 4-3 lead in the second inning on a bizarre play involving the infield fly rule. Wilson popped up to catcher Chauncey, but it went off Chauncey's glove.

The bases were loaded and there was only one out, so the infield fly rule was in effect and Wilson was called out, while the runners didn't have to advance. Brandon Wilson ran home anyway because the ball got away from Chauncey and was safe when the catcher failed to tag him. Chauncey stepped on the plate thinking the force was still in effect.

Leadoff hitter Lastings Milledge hit a homer to left center with one out in the fourth to give the Bombers a 5-3.

The GreenJackets got one back in the bottom of the seventh when Jordan scored on Brandon Moss' infield single. But Augusta stranded Ciofrone at third though when Scott White lined out to the shortstop and Moss was doubled up at first. The GreenJackets' right fielder was sliding into second as the throw nabbed him at first.

Both starters gave up three runs in the first. Shawn Bowman plated two runners for the Bombers with a single to right center and scored on a double by Jamar Hill. The GreenJackets gave Gary Galvez some help when they tied the game at 3-3 with four consecutive hits.

Chavez started things with one out and a single straight back through Capital City starter Brian Walker. Moss followed with a single to right center. Chavez scored on White's double over center fielder Milledge's head. Burgess' single to right scored Moss and White.

Reach Kristy Shonka at (706) 823-3216 or kristy.shonka@augustachronicle.com.

STAR OF THE GAME: Capital City Jamar Hill knocked in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning.

KEY PLAY: The GreenJackets had the bases loaded with one out in the eighth and only got one run, and the runner was walked in.

TONIGHT'S GAME: 7:05, GreenJackets at Bombers