Giants Win Their Seventh Straight, Beat Braves 7-1

by John Vittas

The Gaithersburg Giants won their seventh game in a row Monday, knocking off the Herndon Braves 7-1 at Criswell Automotive Field in Gaithersburg.

The Giants tagged Braves pitching for 11 hits, including three doubles and three infield singles. Kevin Baron went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs.

"At any level of baseball, when you see your teammates having good at bats, it's gonna keep rolling on to the next guy," Baron said. "We're at the point where we know our role and we're not trying to do too much and putting it all together."

Chris Kashangaki added three hits, three runs and a stolen base, while Texas outfielder Collin Shaw and Dartmouth third baseman Jay Graham both had two hits and a pair of RBIs. Kashangaki also threw out Braves' third baseman Tom Woodruff from centerfield to keep the Giants ahead 2-1 in the sixth.

Brandon Estrain started for the Giants, giving up just one run on four hits over five and two-thirds innings.

"They weren't hitting the fastball and when they started fouling off pitches, I started coming inside," Estrain said. "Our defense was great today."

Monday was Estrain's first start of the year after pitching six innings of relief throughout the summer.

"I knew I had to throw a lot more pitches than I was used to. I had a good warmup and felt good," Estrain said. "Coach Rabberman said I had to give him five, so I gave him six."

The Giants' bullpen combined to finish off the game without allowing another run. Gaithersburg continues to lead the Ripken League in pitching with a 2.13 team ERA.

"We're putting pressure on the other guys and forcing their defense to make a play and be perfect and I think that's a big reason why we're on this run," Baron said.

The Giants will go for eight in a row this evening, traveling to Glen Burnie to play the Orioles at Bachman Park at 7p.m.