Astros defeat Rays in home opener
June 25, 2012 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville, TN - The Greeneville Astros defeated the Princeton Rays in their home opener at Pioneer Park on Monday night, 5-3, in front of a crowd of 2,496 fans. The two clubs are now in a three-way tie with the Danville Braves for the best record in the Appalachian League at 5-2.
The Astros got things going early when Brian Blasik reached on a fielding error by Princeton with two outs in the bottom of the first inning. Following a Terrell Joyce base hit and an Ernesto Genoves walk to load the bases, Ariel Ovando hit a line drive to center field to give the Astros a 2-0 lead.
The Rays cut that lead in half in the third inning when Princeton's Ismel Antunez walked to lead off the third inning, stole second and scored on a fielding error by Greeneville.
With two outs in the fourth inning, Princeton got Oscar Hernandez on base with a walk. Hernandez advanced to second on a John Alexander base hit. Then, Antunez singled to center to drive in Hernandez and even the score at 2-2.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Astros got a leadoff single from Terrell Joyce. Then Ovando hit his fourth double of the year to right field, putting runners at second and third. A Michael Martinez groundout allowed Joyce to score as Greeneville briefly retook the lead.
In the fifth inning, however, Reid Redman homered for the Rays and tied the score again at 3-3.
Greeneville finally took the lead for good in the sixth inning when Genoves walked and eventually scored on a Martinez line drive to left field. Then, in the eighth inning, Genoves homered and concluded the scoring with the Astros on top 5-3.
Greeneville starting pitcher Richard Rodriguez pitched six innings, gave up three runs with two earned, struck out five and picked up his first win. Mitchell Lambson pitched a hitless final three innings, struck out two and picked up his first save.
The Astros will face the Princeton Rays in game two of the series on Tuesday. For more information on the Greeneville Astros, please visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
Appalachian League Stories from June 25, 2012
- Astros defeat Rays in home opener - Greeneville Astros
- D-Braves Win Fourth In-A-Row, 10-2 - Danville Otterbots
- Pulaski Blanks Johnson City 5-0 for Third Win - Pulaski Mariners
- Mets avoid sweep from Astros - Greeneville Astros
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