Rays Edge Astros, 3-2
August 31, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Kyle Tucker of the Greeneville Astros
(Greeneville Astros, Credit: Hunter Reed)
Greeneville, TN - The Greeneville Astros (33-33) were narrowly defeated by the Princeton Rays (37-30) on Monday night by a score of 3-2. Despite the loss, the Astros remain second in the Appalachian League West division by a half-game over the Elizabethton Twins (33-34). The Astros can clinch a playoff berth on the final day of the regular season on Tuesday with either a win or a Twins loss.
The Rays and Astros began the game by scoring a run apiece in the first inning. With runners at second and third with one out, Princeton's Zacrey Law scored on a Brett Sullivan groundout to first. Then, in the bottom of the inning, Kyle Tucker got a two-out double and scored on a Connor Goedert RBI single into right field.
Tucker led the way for the Astros at the plate throughout the game as he went three-for-four with a double, scored a run, and picked up a late-inning RBI-single. In addition, he stole two bases to bring his season total to 13 in just 29 games in Greeneville.
The score remained 1-1 until the Rays broke the tie in the top of the fifth inning. The go-ahead run came when Princeton's Law, who had scored the Rays' first run, connected on a solo homer to left field.
Two innings later, in the seventh, the Rays tacked on another run. Similar to the first inning, it was Law crossing the plate again when Sullivan grounded into a force out.
Down 3-1, the Astros made a strong attempt to get back into the game in the eighth. Myles Straw led off the inning with a walk and stole his league-leading 22nd base of the season. Then, Straw scored on Tucker's one-out RBI-single into centerfield. Tucker then stole second to get the tying run into scoring position, but the next two Astros grounded out to end the inning.
Trailing by a single run, the Astros brought in Randy Cesar as a pinch hitter to lead off the ninth inning. Cesar drew a walk, advanced to second on a Ford Stainback sacrifice bunt, and moved to third on a ground out. However, he was stranded at third to end the game.
The winning pitcher for the Rays was Deivy Mendez. He pitched four hitless innings in relief with one walk and five strikeouts. Alberto Casanas picked up the save with a scoreless ninth.
The four Astros' pitchers, Makay Nelson, Starlyng Sanchez, Yhoan Acosta and Luis Ramirez, combined for seven strikeouts while only allowing one earned run on the night.
With a playoff berth on the line, Greeneville will take on the Rays in the regular season finale on Tuesday, September 1st at Pioneer Park. Gates will open at 6:00pm. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00pm. Fireworks will immediately follow the game.
The Astros are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. For more information, visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
Images from this story
 Kyle Tucker of the Greeneville Astros (Hunter Reed) |
• Discuss this story on the Appalachian League message board...
Appalachian League Stories from August 31, 2015
- Rays Edge Astros, 3-2 - Greeneville Astros
- Greeneville Astros' Andrew Thome Named Appalachian League Pitcher of the Week - Greeneville Astros
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
