Astros Blast Cardinals for Second Straight Win, Take Series
July 11, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Johnson City, TN - The Greeneville Astros (9-8) got a boost from a seven-run third inning to propel themselves to their second straight convincing win over the Johnson City Cardinals (8-8) on Friday night at Cardinal Park. With a 10-4 victory, the Astros move up to second place in the Appalachian League West, trailing only the Kingsport Mets by a half-game.
The 10 runs for the Astros tied a season-high. Combined with their nine runs the night before, the Astros outscored the Cardinals 19-6 over the last two nights to claim the three-game series win.
The offensive attack was led again by Connor Goedert's four-for-five night at the plate with a run scored, a double, and two RBI. Goedert is now batting .475 on the season, has reached base safely in all 16 contests in which he's played, and leads the league with 29 hits and 18 RBI.
Other Astros hitters also made strong contributions. Hector Roa went two-for-five with four RBI, including a three-run homer for the second straight night. Overall, it was his third home run this week. Meanwhile, Aaron Mizell matched Roa with a two-for-five night of his own with two runs scored, a double, and three RBI.
In the third inning, with runners at the corners and one out, Osvaldo Duarte got the Astros on the board first with a line drive RBI single into right field. Mizell followed with his two-run double, and Goedert knocked in another run on a RBI single. Then, with two outs, Roa connected on his three-run homer to give the Astros a sudden seven-run lead.
Over the next four innings, the Cardinals clawed their way back into the game. Chris Chinea homered in the fourth, Ricardo Bautista picked up a RBI single in the fifth, and they scored in the seventh on a wild pitch and a Magneuris Sierra RBI single to cut the Astros lead to 7-4.
The Astros, having still only scored in the third inning, finally bounced back to put a few more runs up to secure the win in the ninth. Once again it was Mizell, Goedert, and Roa who made the inning a success as each drove in a run in the final frame to conclude all scoring.
Astros starting pitcher Chris Murphy pitched three scoreless innings in his first start and fourth appearance overall. He allowed just two hits without a run and struck out one. Devonte German went the next three innings and picked up the win, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts. Makay Nelson, Cristhopher Santamaria, and newly signed non-drafted free agent Jose Hernandez combined to take the remaining three innings and close the game.
The Astros return home on Saturday, July 11th, where they hold a 5-1 record, to face the new Pulaski Yankees in a three-game series beginning Saturday at 6:00pm. Fans arriving early will have the opportunity to pick up a free, pink Strikeout Cancer T-shirt as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Takoma Regional Hospital.
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 11, 2015
- Astros Fall to First-Place Yankees - Greeneville Astros
- Astros Blast Cardinals for Second Straight Win, Take Series - Greeneville Astros
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