TBolts and Braves Will Battle in Broiling Heat Tonight at Blair
SILVER SPRING, JULY 2—The Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts (6-18) will battle the Metro South County Braves (11-13) tonight in a 7:30 square-off at Blair Stadium. The TBolts have lost five of their last six games, and took a laborious 8-2 loss last night against the Gaithersburg Giants. As for Metro SoCo, they suffered a 3-2 loss yesterday to the Southern Maryland Senators.
Robert Kelly (Jr., Monmouth) and Nadav Machlin (So., Paris JC) have both been brilliant bats for the Braves this summer. In 15 games, Machlin is mashing .449 with 22 hits, 15 walks and 17 RBIs. Kelly has a .374 average, .971 OPS, 25 RBIs, and 11 walks. These teams have only faced once this summer, and that came back on June 25. Machlin and Kelly both went 2-4 with 2 RBIs in Metro SoCo’s comfortable 8-4 win.
Infielder Matthew Kim (Sr., Hampden Sydney) and outfielder Gabriel Pegues (So., Lynchburg) both had multi-hit nights against the Braves last week. Kim has quietly been one of the most efficient hitters on the Thunderbolts, and is looking to extend his four-game hitting streak. In total, Kim is batting .327 with four RBIs in 18 games played. Pegues has a .306 average with 15 RBIs, 11 extra-base hits, and 14 stolen bases. The reigning Ripken League Hitter of the Week is looking to continue his all-star caliber season tonight.
Emilio Rodriguez (Sr., La Salle) will make his first start for the Thunderbolts this season. The righty out of Baltimore was brilliant for the TBolts in his first outing of 2026. In five innings of relief against Southern Maryland on June 27, E-Rod racked up nine strikeouts; this is still the most punchouts performed in one outing by a TBolt this year. The righty has a dangerous fastball and curveball combination that will have Metro SoCo on their toes.
An issue that has plagued Silver Spring-Takoma recently has been walks. The TBolts have issued 187 this year, which is a close second in the Ripken League. Once opposing batters get walked, teams begin to capitalize on prime scoring positions. This week, the Gaithersburg Giants drew 21 combined walks in their 10-2 and 8-2 respective wins over Silver Spring-Takoma. Against the DC Grays on Tuesday, the TBolts issued just one walk in their 14-2 victory. Limiting the bases on balls will be a big factor of today’s game.
This match will yet again be a scorcher, as the predicted temperature reads 96 degrees for 7:30 P.M.’s first pitch. Due to heat concerns, the game will only go for seven innings. Brian Alves and Patrick Moran will broadcast tonight’s action on YouTube for those who want to stay cool at home.