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Johnson City Doughboys

Redbirds Three-Run First Sparks Win over K-Mets

June 27, 2017 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Johnson City Doughboys News Release


KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Despite an 11 a.m. start, the Cardinals' bats were awake early, as Johnson City struck for three runs in the first and never looked back, defeating the Kingsport Mets, 4-2, to capture the rubber match of the series on Tuesday afternoon at Hunter Wright Stadium.

With the win, the Redbirds have won two in-a-row and move to 4-2 on the young season. The series victory gives them two straight to start the year for the second consecutive season. Kingsport drops to 3-2 with the loss.

CF Wadye Ynfante (3-5, R, 2B, 2 SO) started the game on the right foot, as he banged a lead-off double to right. Following a walk to 2B J.D. Murders (0-4, R, B, 3 SO) and strike out, 1B Carlos Rodriguez (0-3, R, 3 SO) was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

C Julio Rodriguez (3-4, R, RBI) got Johnson City on the board by dropping a single into shallow center. Ynfante scored to put the Cardinals ahead, 1-0. DH Luis Bandes (1-3, RBI) proceeded to bring home another tally by lofting a sacrifice fly to right, extending the advantage to 2-0. LF Walker Robbins (1-4, RBI) capped off the three-run frame with a run-scoring knock to left.

That was all the run support the Cardinals' pitching staff needed, as they held the K-Mets scoreless until the eighth inning.

LHP Jacob Schlesener (4.2 IP, 4 H, BB, 4 SO) did not earn the win - being removed with two on and two out in the fifth - but was impressive in his first start of the year. The 20-year-old walked just one and did not allow a run over 4.2 frames.

LHP Brett Seeburger (2.1 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 SO) entered in relief to make his professional debut and quelled the Kingsport threat. The southpaw earned his first professional victory, hurling 2.1 innings of scoreless, two-hit ball.

Johnson City managed to add a key insurance in the top of the eighth. Still ahead 3-0, Julio Rodriguez and Bandes started the inning with back-to-back singles. After a fielder's choice, RF Jonathan Rivera (0-3, RBI, SO) slapped a sacrifice fly to center to extend the Baby Birds' advantage to 4-0.

Kingsport tallied their only two runs in the bottom of the frame. With one on and one out, CF Anthony Dirocie (1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, SO) clubbed a two-run homer over the wall in left-center - his second of the year - to pull the Mets to within 4-2.

That was as close as they would get, as RHP Thomas St. Clair (1.0 IP, H, 2 SO) closed the door. The Lenoir-Rhyne product struck out the final two batters of the game to seal the win and his first professional save.

Ynfante (3-5, R, 2B, 2 SO) and Julio Rodriguez (3-4, R, RBI) each collected a game-high-tying three hits, while 2B Wood Myers (2-4, SO) recorded his first professional multi-hit game in the Cardinals' victory.

The Cardinals return home to open up a six-game homestand against the Greeneville Astros, rookie league affiliate of the Houston Astros, on Wednesday night. RHP Franyel Casadilla (0-1, 3.00 ERA) is expected to make his first start of the year for Johnson City. Greeneville has not yet named their starting pitcher.

The Cardinals Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:45 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:00 p.m. ET start at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Wednesday evening's contest can be heard on NBCSportsTriCities.com, JCCardinals.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps. .

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