Astros fall to Cardinals in doubleheader
August 7, 2012 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville, TN - The Greeneville Astros and Johnson City Cardinals met in a doubleheader on Monday night due to Sunday's scheduled game at Pioneer Park being postponed for inclement weather. The Cardinals came into the day trailing the Astros for second place in the Appalachian League West division. However, Johnson City managed to win both seven-inning games of the doubleheader to leave the Astros and Cardinals both 5.5 games behind the division-leading Elizabethton Twins.
In game one, the Cardinals got strong contributions from Bruce Caldwell and Cesar Valera. Caldwell went three-for-three with a single, triple and homer while also scoring three runs. Meanwhile, Valera was two-for-two with a double, two runs and two RBI.
The Astros got a two-run double from Angel Ibanez in the third inning, but could produce no more runs off Johnson City's Victor De Leon. The Cardinals went on to win 8-2. De Leon gave up two runs on three hits over five innings to earn the win.
After a thirty minute break between games, right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers made his Appalachian League debut when he started game two for the Astros. The 2012 first round selection, 41st overall, pitched 4.0 innings, gave up one hit and struck out four. At the time of his departure, the Astros held a 1-0 lead on another Ibanez RBI double.
Another right-hander and 2011 first round selection by the Toronto Blue Jays, Joe Musgrove, entered the game in the fifth inning to make his first appearance with the Astros since being acquired in a trade last month. Over 1.2 innings, Musgrove was credited with one earned run on four hits.
After trailing the Astros through five innings, the Cardinals got the tying run with a Dutch Deol RBI-single on a soft fly ball to center field. Then, with the game even at 1-1 in the seventh inning, Johnson City put together a four-run inning with scores coming off a fielding error, a Valera RBI-double and a two-run single by Gerwuins Velazco.
Suddenly behind by four runs and down to their final three outs, Jean Batista managed to get on base for the Astros with his league-best 16th double of the season. However, Greeneville came up short in the end and fell to the Cardinals 5-1.
Johnson City's Stalyn Lopez earned the win as he pitched the complete seven-inning game, giving up one run on four hits.
The Astros hit the road on Tuesday for six days as they travel to face the Pulaski Mariners followed by the Princeton Rays. For more information on the Greeneville Astros, please visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
Appalachian League Stories from August 7, 2012
- Mariners Start Series Off Right, Win 2-1 - Pulaski Mariners
- Sox Two-Game Winning Streak Ended - Bristol White Sox
- D-Braves Split Doubleheader with Royals - Danville Otterbots
- Number 2 Pick Reports to E-Town - Elizabethton River Riders
- Astros fall to Cardinals in doubleheader - Greeneville Astros
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