Astros fall to Cardinals in 12-10 slugfest, miss playoffs
August 29, 2014 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Johnson City, TN - The Greeneville Astros (32-33) were eliminated from playoff contention on Thursday night with a 12-10 road loss to the Johnson City Cardinals (36-31), who clinched the final playoff spot in the Appalachian League West. The two teams combined for 22 runs on 27 hits in the slugfest.
The Astros scored first in the game on a Hector Roa three-run homer in the second inning, marking his second straight game with a home run. However, in the bottom half of the inning, the Cardinals answered with three runs of their own on three consecutive RBI singles and five total hits.
The game remained tied at 3-3 until the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Cardinals went ahead on a Casey Turgeon RBI single. Then, back-to-back doubles by Oscar Mercado and Blake Drake plated three more runs.
The Astros fought back with a two-run double in the seventh inning by Alex Melendez, who went four-for-four on the night with two doubles. However, they still surrendered their second consecutive four-run inning to the Cardinals.
The first two runs in the seventh for the Cardinals came on a Devante Lacy single. Then, another scored when Blake Drake was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Finally, Casey Grayson grounded into a force out at second that scored Turgeon to give the Cardinals a six-run lead.
Trailing 11-5, the Astros came through with a big eighth inning to get back into the game. With two outs, Jacob Nottingham got the inning going with a RBI single. A few batters later, with the bases loaded, Randy Cesar hit for a two-run double. Then, Alex Melendez and Jeffry Santos each got RBI singles to pull the Astros within a single run at 11-10.
Clinging to their small lead, the Cardinals answered the Astros one last time. In the bottom of the eighth, Jose Godoy connected on a leadoff home run to give the Cardinals a two-run cushion. Then, in the ninth, the Cardinals were able to retire the side and end the Astros' hopes of a second consecutive playoff appearance.
Cardinals' reliever Jonathan Escudero, who picked up the win, pitched 1.2 innings and gave up two runs on two hits while striking out two and walking one.
The Astros will return to Johnson City to take on the Cardinals in the final game of their season on Friday night. Game time is scheduled for 7:00pm.
Appalachian League Stories from August 29, 2014
- Yankees, Red Sox Advance to GCL Finals - Pulaski Mariners
- Cardinals defeat Astros, 7-2, in season finale - Greeneville Astros
- Braves clinch playoff berth with win over Pirates - Danville Otterbots
- Astros fall to Cardinals in 12-10 slugfest, miss playoffs - Greeneville Astros
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