Astros Clinch Series with 7-2 Win
July 19, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Luis Payano, Hector Roa and Myles Straw of the Greeneville Astros
(Greeneville Astros, Credit: Hunter Reed)
Greeneville, TN - The Greeneville Astros (14-11) clinched their sixth series of the 2015 season on Sunday in a 7-2 victory over the Kingsport Mets (12-13).
The Astros' bats scored early and often with three innings featuring multiple runs scored while the Mets were held to just five hits by Greeneville pitchers.
Greeneville initially struck in the bottom of the second inning beginning with a single by right fielder Hector Roa followed by another one-bagger by Randy Cesar. Catcher Kevin Martir proceeded to draw a walk to load the bases. A Luis Payano single sent Cesar to third base and Martir to second after scoring Roa.
Cesar's single added to his current hitting streak, extending it to eight consecutive games.
Mets starter Darwin Ramos gave the Astros their second run of the game on a wild pitch with Myles Straw at the plate. The third and final run of the inning game with Martir tagging up to score from third after Straw ripped a sacrifice fly to right field.
Kingsport closed the gap with two runs in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Kevin Kaczmarski lined a single to right then was scored after a double by Gregory Valencia. Valencia advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single to center by Arnoldo Barrios. Astros starter Erasmo Pinales was relieved by Juan Delis who closed out the half-inning by pitching Leon Canelon into a force out at second base.
Pinales finished the night with four and two-thirds innings pitched, two runs allowed on four hits and three strikeouts taking a no-decision.
The Astros answered in the bottom of the sixth commencing with a two-out walk by Cesar. Martir moved Cesar to second on a fly ball single to right field. Payano then smacked a double to center to score both for his fourth and fifth RBI on the season and put the Astros up 7-2.
Greeneville's scoring concluded in the home half of the eighth with two pair of insurance runs inaugurated on a single by first baseman Justin Garcia. Garcia moved to second on a wild pitch with Roa at the plate. Roa then slammed a home run to leftfield for his fourth on the season while scoring Garcia.
The Astros' bullpen closed the door on the Mets in the last four frames beginning with right-hander Devonte German who earned the win tossing three innings allowing just one hit and striking out one. Lachlan Madden, a righty prospect from Pakenham, Australia, made his Greeneville debut throwing a hitless ninth inning.
The Greeneville offense was led by the bottom five batters in the lineup with Cesar and Martir each going one-for-two with two walks and two runs scored. Payano recorded a two-for-four performance including his double and three RBI. Roa finished the night two-for-four with two runs scored and one RBI followed by Justin Garcia who went one-for-four with a run.
The Astros can complete their first series sweep on the year with a victory in the third and final matchup against Kingsport tomorrow. The first pitch is scheduled for 7 PM with gates opening at 6 PM.
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
 Luis Payano, Hector Roa and Myles Straw of the Greeneville Astros (Hunter Reed) |
Appalachian League Stories from July 19, 2015
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