Astros fall in season opener to Cardinals
Published on June 20, 2012 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Johnson City, TN - The Greeneville Astros fell in short in their season opener to the two-time defending Appalachian League Champion Johnson City Cardinals, 4-2, on Tuesday night at Howard Johnson Field.
After 4.2 hitless innings from Greeneville starter Adrian Houser, the Cardinals' C.J. McElroy got on with a ground ball single in the bottom of the fifth. McElroy moved to third on a base hit from Ildemaro Vargas and scored on a wild pitch to put to Johnson City on top 1-0.
The Cardinals added a run apiece over the next three innings off a trio of Astros relievers. Michael Knox hit a solo homer in the sixth inning. In the seventh and eighth, although each was thrown out at second base after attempting to stretch a single into more, Lance Jeffries and Steve Bean each drove in a run.
Meanwhile, the Astros best offensive inning came in the eighth. Centerfielder D'Andre Toney led off the inning with a walk and scored on a Brian Blasik double down the left field line. Blasik moved to third on an Angel Ibanez line drive hit to left field as well. Then, although Michael Martinez hit into a double play, it allowed Blasik to come home and put the Astros within a run of the Cardinals at 3-2. However, Johnson City was able to hold off the Astros for their initial win of 2012.
Juan Bautista (1-0) earned the win for the Cardinals, giving up no runs on four hits over six innings. Ronald Shaban pitched the final inning, gave up one hit and picked up the save.
The Astros and Cardinals continue their three-game series on Wednesday night. For more information on the Greeneville Astros, please visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
Appalachian League Stories from June 20, 2012
- Burlington Takes Two From Pulaski - Pulaski Mariners
- Twins Blank D-Braves, 10-0 - Danville Otterbots
- Astros fall in season opener to Cardinals - Greeneville Astros
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