Astros Fall to Braves, 7-4
Published on August 21, 2016 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Danville, VA - The Danville Braves (27-27) took an early lead and held on to defeat the Greeneville Astros (28-28) on Saturday night, 7-4. Despite the loss, the Astros remain just two and one-half games out of a playoff spot in the Appalachian League West Division.
The Braves struck first with an Elias Arias solo homer in the bottom of the second inning. Then, in the third, Derian Cruz had a RBI triple and Ramon Osuna followed with a RBI double to give the Braves a 3-0 lead.
Those three runs proved to be the difference in the game as the two teams played evenly the rest of the way with four runs apiece.
The first score for the Astros came in the fifth inning. Connor MacDonald, who went three-for-four on the night, got on with a leadoff single and was moved over to second on a Carlos Machado ground out. Then, Ruben Castro drove a single into right field to bring home the score.
With their lead cut to two, the Braves answered with their biggest inning of the night in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs and runners at first and second, Cristian Pache doubled to plate one run. Then, Brett Cumberland followed with a two-run double to give the Braves a three-run inning and a 6-1 lead.
In the sixth, each team added a run the keep the Astros' deficit at five. The Astros' score in the top half of the inning came on a Reiny Beltre RBI ground out. In the bottom half, the Braves scored on a RBI single by Cruz.
After a scoreless seventh, the Astros picked up a run in the eighth when Abraham Toro-Hernandez grounded into a force out to score Stijn van der Meer. Then, in the ninth, Luis Payano connected on a sacrifice fly to plate Machado and set the final score.
Astros reliever Carson LaRue made his debut with the team as he pitched the final two innings. During that time, the 2016 14th rounder held the Braves without a hit or run while striking out three.
Braves starter Jeremy Walker (3-1) earned the win after allowing one run on three hits over five innings with a total of six strikeouts.
The Astros will head to Burlington to begin a three-game series with the Royals beginning on Sunday at 6:00pm. Right-hander Jorge Guzman will take the hill for the Astros.
Appalachian League Stories from August 21, 2016
- Astros Fall to Braves, 7-4 - Greeneville Astros
- Pulaski Ends Skid with Waterlogged Win - Pulaski River Turtles
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.
