Almonte Completes Astros Rally With Walk-Off Sac Fly
July 19, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville, TN - The Greeneville Astros (14-11) won their eighth consecutive game on Monday night with another dramatic victory over the Bluefield Blue Jays (10-13). The Astros saved their best for last as they finished the night with a three-run ninth inning and a walk-off sacrifice fly from centerfielder Marcos Almonte to give them a 4-3 win.
The Astros trailed the Blue Jays, 3-1, heading into the bottom of the ninth. With their backs against the wall, the Astros got half their hits for the entire night from the first three batters in the inning. Bryan De La Cruz and Luis Payano each singled to start the ninth before Frankeny Fernandez doubled to left field to bring them both home and tie the game at 3-3.
With no outs, the Astros had a chance to close out the game. With Fernandez still at second, Reiny Beltre got on with an error before Ruben Castro advanced both runners over to second and third on a ground out. Then, Vicente Sanchez was intentionally walked to load the bases and potentially set up an inning-ending double play. However, Almonte delivered on a sacrifice fly to right field which allowed Fernandez to head home and slide in front of the throw for the game-winning score.
Following the exhausting 20-inning thriller on Sunday, which Greeneville won 5-4, it was the second straight night the Astros defeated the Blue Jays by a single run in walk-off fashion. It also completed a series sweep for the Astros, their second straight after previously taking down the Pulaski Yankees during this undefeated six-game homestand.
Overall, the Astros have now won eight games in a row to give them their second longest win streak in club history. The team record officially stands at 10 games running from July 11-21 during the 2013 season. Although, that streak went to 13 games, the last three wins did not qualify after losing a game that was suspended and made up later in the season.
The current Astros win streak began on July 10 and also includes two road wins against the Elizabethton Twins, but none have been more exciting than the recent contests against the Blue Jays.
Monday's game began with Bluefield scoring first on a Nash Knight RBI single in the first inning. The score remained 1-0 in their favor all the way until the final two innings.
The Astros, who got their first hit of the night in the fifth inning, were finally able to get on the scoreboard for the first time during the eighth. Sanchez set the tone as he doubled to centerfield to lead off the inning before being moved over to third by an Almonte sacrifice bunt. Tyler Wolfe then stepped up a drove a ball into right field for a sacrifice fly to score Sanchez and tie the game at 1-1.
The Blue Jays attempted to take away any Astros momentum in the top of the ninth as the first two batters got on with singles, leaving runners at the corners. After one strikeout, Kalik May followed with a two-run triple to put Bluefield back up 3-1 and set up the Astros dramatic ninth inning rally.
Ricardo Castro started the game for the Astros and pitched five and two-thirds innings. He finished the night surrendering one unearned run on five hits with four strikeouts before giving way to Abdiel Saldana in the sixth inning.
Saldana (1-0) went the final three and one-third innings and picked up his first win of the season. The 20-year-old, signed out of Panama in 2013, totaled six strikeouts while allowing two runs on five hits.
In a match-up of the current top two teams in the Appalachian League West, the Astros will travel to face the Johnson City Cardinals (13-10) in a three-game set beginning Tuesday at 7:00pm. Right-hander Jorge Guzman will be on the mound making his first start for Greeneville since being called up from the Gulf Coast League Astros last week.
The Astros are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. For more information, visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
Appalachian League Stories from July 19, 2016
- E-Twins Win in Walk-Off Fashion - Kingsport Axmen
- Cardinals Snap Astros 8-Game Win Streak - Greeneville Astros
- Record Inning Rallies Rays 12-5 - Princeton WhistlePigs
- Rasquin Brings Home Offensive Player of Week Honors - Kingsport Axmen
- Yankees Fail to Complete Sweep - Pulaski River Turtles
- Almonte Completes Astros Rally With Walk-Off Sac Fly - 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.
