Astros Fall to Mets, 2-1, in Playoff Opener
September 3, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Connor Goedert of the Greeneville Astros Rounds the Bases
(Greeneville Astros, Credit: Hunter Reed)
Greeneville, TN - The Greeneville Astros (0-1) fell to the Kingsport Mets (1-0), 2-1, in the opening game of the Appalachian League Western Division playoff series at Pioneer Park on Thursday.
The game marks the fifth time in the 2015 season that one run has decided a matchup between the two clubs.
Right-hander Erasmo Pinales started on the mound for the Astros, holding the Mets to one hit over three full innings with three strikeouts. Gabriel Llanes countered Pinales for Kingsport, venturing six and one-third innings, allowing one run on seven hits and striking out four.
Greeneville initially scored in the contest with a single run the bottom of the fourth spurred by a leadoff single by Daz Cameron. Two batters later with no runners on, first baseman Connor Goedert blasted his first home run of the post-season over the leftfield fence.
Hector Perez took the mound in the fourth inning and tossed four full innings, allowed two hits and one run while striking out two batters. Luis Ramirez relieved Perez and pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowed one hit, walked one and struck out one.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Mets deadlocked the score with a solo run beginning with Luis Ortega wearing a hit by pitch and then Milton Ramos reaching first on an error after a sacrifice bunt attempt. Centerfielder Ivan Wilson drew a walk allowing Arnoldo Berrios to ground into a fielder's choice, which let Ortega score the tying run.
The Astros brought right-hander Samil De Los Santos out of the bullpen in the top of the eighth. De Los Santos finished the night with one inning pitched; three hits and one run allowed as well as two strikeouts while taking the loss.
The Mets took the 2-1 lead and what became the game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning on a home run deep over the fence in leftfield by catcher Darryl Knight. Kevin Kaczmarski and Luis Carpio each singled before the half-inning ended.
Chase Ingram earned the victory for Kingsport over one and two-third innings while allowing no hits and striking out two batters. Witt Haggard earned the save after pitching a flawless ninth inning with three strikeouts.
Left-hander Starlyng Sanchez closed out the game for the Astros throwing one-third of an inning with no runs or hits allowed.
Osvaldo Duarte led the Astros offense going two-for-three with a triple. Daz Cameron, Connor Goedert and Kevin Martir each were one-for-four as Goedert homered. Ford Stainback and Rodrigo Ayarza each went one-for-three.
The Astros travel to Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport on Friday night for the second game of the playoff series with a 7 PM scheduled first pitch.
The Astros are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. For more information, visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
Images from this story
 Connor Goedert of the Greeneville Astros Rounds the Bases (Hunter Reed) |
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Appalachian League Stories from September 3, 2015
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