Astros Beat Rays, 5-2, to Claim Series
July 1, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Princeton, WV - The Greeneville Astros and Princeton Rays had split the first two games of their series at Hunnicutt Field before the rubber match on Friday night. Looking for their first series win of the young season, the Astros accomplished just that with a 5-2 victory in their final game in Princeton.
Trailing 1-0 after the first inning, the Astros totaled four runs over the next two. In the second, Chaz Pal knocked in a run on a ground out and Raymond Henderson followed with a RBI single. Then, in the third, rightfielder Bryan De La Cruz hit a two-out triple to bring in two more and put the Astros on top, 4-1.
The Rays were held to just three hits on the night, albeit two of those three hits happened to be home runs. Eleardo Cabrera gave the Rays an early lead on his solo shot in the first inning. Then, in the third, Robbie Tenerowicz connected on a solo homer of his own.
Astros right-hander Ricardo Castro (1-0), who the Astros signed out of Mexico in 2015, earned his first win in his second start with the club. The 20-year-old pitched six innings and allowed two runs on three hits while striking out three.
In the top of the seventh, Castro and the Astros got an insurance run when shortstop Miguelangel Sierra hit a two-out solo homer to left. It was the 18-year-old's team-leading third home run and the Astros' league-leading 14th in the first nine games of the season.
As a team, the Astros outhit the Rays 10-3. Third baseman Tyler Wolfe led the way with a three-for-five night as he also stole a base and scored a run. Second baseman Jonathan Arauz scored a run as well and contributed a multi-hit night by going two-for-four.
Abdiel Saldana closed out the game for the Astros with three scoreless innings. The 20-year-old Panamanian did not allow a hit as he struck out four on his way to earning the save. For the season, Saldana now has 12 strikeouts against one walk over eight and one-third shutout innings of relief.
The Astros (3-6) return home to Pioneer Park on Saturday for a series with the Kingsport Mets (2-7). Right-hander Colin McKee, an 18th round selection in 2016, will get the start for the Astros as first pitch is set for 6:00pm.
The Astros are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. For more information, visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
• Discuss this story on the Appalachian League message board...
Appalachian League Stories from July 1, 2016
- Braves on Losing End of Pitchers' - Danville Otterbots
- Astros Beat Rays, 5-2, to Claim Series - Greeneville Astros
- Bisacca Enjoying Small-Town Atmosphere - Pulaski River Turtles
- Princeton Trounces Greeneville 7-1 to Even Series - Princeton WhistlePigs
- Rays Defeated 5-2 Despite Early Lead - Princeton WhistlePigs
- Braves on Losing End of Pitchers' - Danville Otterbots
- Gwinnett Braves News for July 1, 2016 - Danville Otterbots
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.
