Arauz Homers But Yankees Slip Past Astros, 8-7

August 7, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release


Pulaski, VA - The Greeneville Astros (24-20) and Pulaski Yankees (20-21) went back-and-forth in Sunday night's game at Calfee Park before the Yankees took advantage of an opportunity to score on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth to win the game, 8-7.

Jonathan Arauz, who went two-for-three and scored two runs, continues to be a bright spot for the Astros as the shortstop has had multiple hits in six of his last seven games, including each of his last four. He had a single late in the game, but his fourth inning solo homer got the Astros their first run of the game.

In the first inning, the Yankees took the early lead on a Brandon Wagner two-run single. However, right-handed pitcher Lucas Williams entered the game for the Astros in a relief role in the first and shutdown the Yankees over the next three and one-third innings, holding them without a single hit or run. Then, Arauz's homer jumpstarted the Astros' bats as they scored in four consecutive innings.

Trailing 2-1 entering the fifth inning, the Astros went ahead following a Vicente Sanchez RBI single and a Jonathan Matute bases-loaded walk. Then, they extended their lead to 4-1 on an Oscar Campos RBI single in the sixth.

In the bottom of the sixth, however, the Yankees regained the lead with a four-run inning. With a runner on first, the first run of the inning came on a throwing error following a Blake Rutherford single that allowed him to make it all the way around to third. Following a walk, Rutherford scored on balk to tie the game. Then, RBI singles from Donny Sands and Brian Reyes gave the Yankees a 6-4 lead.

Despite the setback, the Astros came out swinging in the top of the seventh. With one out and Arauz on first after being hit by a pitch, Abraham Toro doubled to left field to put two runners in scoring position at second and third. Then, with two outs, Frankeny Fernandez connected on a two-run single to even the score before Reiny Beltre's RBI single put the Astros back in front, 7-6.

After giving Pulaski the initial lead back in the first inning, Wagner came back up and delivered on another big hit in the eighth inning. This time, it was a leadoff home run which tied the game.

In the top of the ninth inning, the Astros were only able to get a single out of Connor MacDonald before giving the Yankees a shot for the walk-off win. Wilkerman Garcia would turn out to be the difference-maker as he led off the bottom half of the inning with a single, stole second, and advanced to third following two walks to load the bases. Garcia then scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch to give the Yankees an 8-7 win in game one of the series.

Yankees reliever Miles Chambers (2-1) picked up the win after pitching the final inning, allowing no runs and one hit.

The Astros will look to even the series with the Yankees on Monday night at 7:00pm as Jorge Alcala takes the mound for Greeneville.



Appalachian League Stories from August 7, 2016


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