8-Run 2nd Inning Carries Astros Past Twins
August 26, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville Astros Pitcher Andrew Thome
(Greeneville Astros, Credit: Hunter Reed)
Greeneville, TN - The Greeneville Astros (31-29) did all their scoring in one inning, but that was all they needed to secure an 8-4 series clinching victory over the Elizabethton Twins (31-29) on Tuesday night at Pioneer Park. The win pulls Greeneville even with the Twins in the standings and into a tie for second place in the Appalachian League West Division.
The Twins got on the scoreboard first with a Lewin Diaz solo homer in the top of the second inning. Then, after suddenly being faced with a seven run deficit, their other three scores came in the third on RBI-singles from LaMonte Wade and Rainis Silva to cut Greeneville's lead in half.
The Astros had scored all eight of their runs in the game during the second inning. Only twice in club history has the team scored more in a single frame. The club record for runs in one inning is nine, which happened in both 2004 and 2005.
Greeneville was aided by three walks and six hits in the inning, including three extra-base hits. Rodrigo Ayarza got the scoring started for the Astros. With the bases loaded and one out, Ayarza hit a three-run double into right field and advanced to third on the throw. Osvaldo Duarte immediately followed with another double to score Ayarza. Then, Myles Straw singled for the Astros' third consecutive hit to add another score. Finally, with two outs, Connor Goedert capped the big inning with a three-run homer.
Goedert, who was named an Appalachian League All-Star earlier in the day, now leads all current Astros with five home runs and was one of eight different Greeneville batters to score a run in the game. Straw led the team in hits with a two-for-four night at the plate with one RBI. As a team, the Astros' eight runs came on just seven hits.
Left-handed pitcher Matt Bower started the game for Greeneville and concluded his night after allowing four runs, although just one was earned, on six hits through the first four innings of the game. During that time, he also collected four strikeouts.
Left-hander Alejandro Solarte pitched one scoreless inning of relief in the fifth before giving way to Andrew Thome for the final four frames. Thome continued to hold the Twins without another score while allowing just four hits as he picked up his first professional win and lowered his ERA to 1.04 on the season.
The Astros concluded their nine-game season series with a 6-3 advantage over the Twins. Therefore, in the event of a tie for a playoff spot, Greeneville would get in by virtue of having a better record in head-to-head competition between the two clubs.
The Astros, who trail the division-leading Kingsport Mets (34-27) by two-and-one-half games, are still in the hunt to finish the regular season on top of the West. They will look to make up one of those games in a rare 11:30am game on Wednesday morning at Pioneer Park. With the season series tied at 5-5, this pivotal match-up will determine who owns the tiebreaker if necessary.
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
 Connor Goedert of the Greeneville Astros Congratulated at the Plate (Hunter Reed) |
 Greeneville Astros Pitcher Andrew Thome (Hunter Reed) |
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