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Kingsport Axmen

Fireworks for Kingsport in Come from Behind Win

July 5, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Kingsport Axmen News Release


GREENEVILLE, Tenn.-The Kingsport Mets utilized a five-run eighth inning to come from behind and steal game three from the Greeneville Astros Monday afternoon at Pioneer Park for an exciting fourth of July celebration to conclude the team's six-game road trip.

Going into the top of the eighth inning, the K-Mets (4-8) trialed the Astros (4-8) by a run at 3-2. Greeneville's Devon Carr (0-1) came onto to pitch the frame while trying to hold the lead intact. However, the southpaw ran into immediate trouble walking Jeremy Wolf to begin the inning and then committing a throwing error trying to force Wolf out at second base on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Dionis Rodriguez a batter later.

With runners at first and second, Franklin Correa would single to right field-bringing in Wolf from second base to tie the game at three runs apiece. After walking Jose Maria a batter later, Carr would then give up an RBI single to Cecilio Aybar to yield the go-ahead runs.

With Angel Manzanarez at the plate, Carr's wild pitch from a breaking ball in the dirt allowed Maria to score from third. Manzanarez would then groundout to Miguelangel Sierra at short stop to bring in Aybar who represented the fifth and final run of the eighth inning.

Lucas Williams was finally called on out of the Greeneville bullpen to relieve Carr of his duties on the mound. The righty induced two pop outs and was out of the inning after Kingsport sent all nine batters to the plate during the frame. Heading to the bottom of the eighth inning, Kingsport now led by four runs at 7-3.

The score would hold true as Ronald Guedez (1-0) pitched the final two and one third innings of the ballgame to pick up his first win of the season. The right hander entered the game with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning after Trent Johnson handed the lead back to the Astros after coming into the game in relief of starter Thomas Szapucki.

A Chaz Pal RBI groundout to Aybar at short would score the go-ahead run, at the time, for Greeneville as they led 3-2 with two away in the frame. After walking Sierra a batter later to put two on the base paths with two away, Guedez was summoned to come into the game.

The right hander caused Frankeny Fernandez to pop out to Ian Strom in left field to end the inning.

Strom stole headlines, literally, in the top of the first inning when the 2016, 22nd round selection out of UMASS Lowell stole home on a delayed attempt to score the first run of the contest. After walking to lead off the game, Strom made it all the way to third base on a single to right field from Ricardo Cespedes a batter later.

Cespedes darted towards second base a few pitches into Jose Medina's at-bat, causing Astros' catcher Gabriel Bracamonte to throw down to second base. As soon as the ball left Bracamonte's right hand, Strom took off for home and stole the first run of the game standing up-beating the throw from Sierra back to the plate.

Kingsport held a 1-0 lead over Greeneville for all of one-full inning before the Astros tied the game in the bottom of the second on an RBI groundout from Tyler Wolfe. The home team would tally on another in the inning that followed when Sierra sent a solo home run over the left field wall. The score was 2-1 in Greeneville's favor after three innings of play.

Thanks to an explosive eighth inning offensively for Kingsport, and the strong pitching from Guedez out of the bullpen, Kingsport was able to come from behind to win its fourth game of the season.

Lost in all the madness yet again was the superb start from Kingsport's Szapucki. The lefthander tallied his second no decision of the season after six innings of four-hit baseball while striking out 11 Astros' batters. The 11 strikeouts were Szapucki's second-highest total on the season behind 13 against the Elizabethon Twins on Opening Night June 23.

Carr took home the loss for Greeneville after going just one-third of inning No. 8 as the lefty gave up five runs, four earned, two hits, and two walks while also committing a fielding error on the mound. Chaz, Wolfe and Sierra each picked up an RBI in the loss.

For Kingsport, Rodriguez led the way with two hits while Aybar tallied two RBIs in the win. Both Manzanarez and Correa each brought in a run during the win as well. Strom finished the day with a double, a run scored, two stolen bases and three walks.

Game 4 of the series is scheduled for Tuesday night at 7 p.m. as the two squads will play the final game in Kingsport, Tenn. at Hunter Wright Stadium. Jordan Humphreys will get the call for the K-Mets as a starter for Greeneville has yet to be determined.

All fans are encouraged to attend the game at Hunter Wright Stadium to welcome the team back after the first road trip of the season. Gates will beginning opening at 6 p.m. and as always, Eric Cain will be on the air at 6:45 for the pregame show at kmets.com.

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Appalachian League Stories from July 5, 2016


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