Pirates Top Astros in Extra Inning Walk-Off
June 27, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Bristol, VA - The Greeneville Astros hit three homeruns and held a 5-2 lead on the Bristol Pirates going into the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday night at Boyce Cox Field. However, the Pirates rallied to even the score and force extra innings where they would eventually complete the comeback with a sacrifice fly for the walk-off win in their home opener.
The Astros jumped on the Pirates early in the contest as they scored two runs in the first inning. Centerfielder Frankeny Fernandez led off with a single and got the first of his two stolen bases on the night. Marcos Almonte, who made his debut with Greeneville after joining the club from the Tri-City ValleyCats, brought Fernandez home with a RBI single and advanced to third on an error. Then, Wander Franco hit a sacrifice fly to bring in another score.
Over the next two innings, Luis Payano hit a solo homerun in the second and Almonte did the same in the third. The two each played a big role in putting the Astros in a position to win as Payano finished two-for-four and Almonte would go on to have a four-for-five night.
Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez was also a key to Greeneville's early success. The left-hander went four and two-thirds innings, struck out seven batters, and exited the game with his club holding a 4-2 lead.
The Astros had maintained a 4-0 advantage until the fifth inning, when the Pirates cut the lead in half. With one out, Bristol connected on three consecutive singles with the last one by Adrian Valerio accounting for two scores.
Astros leftfielder Chaz Pal got one of those runs back in the sixth as the recent 38th round pick led off the inning with his first professional homerun and the club's third solo shot of the night. In total, the Astros have now hit seven homers by the seven different players over the first four games of the season.
Astros relievers Nathan Thompson and Lucas Williams, who were both making their professional debuts, helped to maintain the 5-2 lead for Greeneville until the bottom of the ninth. However, with one out and runners at first and second for the Pirates, Raul Siri connected on a RBI double. Valerio, who knocked in Bristol's two runs earlier, also scored on a passed ball. Then, Alexis Bastardo hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring in Siri for the tying run and force extra innings.
In the tenth frame, the Astros were unable to get anything going after a one-out single by Almonte. That left the door open for the Pirates to complete their comeback.
A Sam Kennelly leadoff single got the Pirates going, but he was replaced by Michael De La Cruz as a pinch runner. A sacrifice bunt moved De La Cruz to second and, after an intentional walk, a Victor Fernandez single loaded the bases. Then Valerio, who had been a key player for the Pirates all night, hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring in De La Cruz to make the score 6-5 and give Bristol a walk-off win.
Pirates reliever Jordan Jess picked up the win for Bristol after pitching the final two innings and allowing just one hit.
The Astros return to Bristol to try even the three-game series at one game apiece on Monday night at 7:00pm. Newcomer Bryan Abreu, who joined the Astros from the Gulf Coast League on Sunday, will be taking the mound for Greeneville.
The Astros are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. For more information, visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
• Discuss this story on the Appalachian League message board...
Appalachian League Stories from June 27, 2016
- Braves Announce Summer Concert Series - Danville Otterbots
- Pirates Top Astros in Extra Inning Walk-Off - 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.
