Astros Fall to Royals, 5-2, in Series Opener
August 27, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Burlington, NC - The Greeneville Astros (31-31) fell 5-2 to the Burlington Royals (29-34) in Thursday's series opener at Burlington Athletic Stadium.
Right-hander Albert Abreu (2-3, 2.74 ERA) took the start for the Astros and tossed four full innings, allowing three hits, two unearned runs and striking out five Royals while receiving the loss. Burlington's Igol Feliz (3-6, 3.67 ERA) took the victory over five innings pitched with one run allowed on one hit and three strikeouts.
The Royals took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as Brandon Thomasson led off by taking a hit-by-pitch followed by a walk issued to Colton Frabasilio. Two batters later, Angelo Castellano reached on an Astros error, which allowed Thomasson and Frabasilio to score.
Abreu held the Royals through the fourth and the Astros countered with a run in the top of the fifth to make the score 2-1 in Burlington's favor. Catcher Kevin Martir singled to centerfield with one out and advanced to third after designated hitter Justin Garcia drew a walk and the Royals committed a throwing error. Second baseman Ford Stainback followed with a sacrifice fly to center to score Martir and decrease the Burlington lead to a single run.
Right-hander Dylan James (0-0, 1.59 ERA) took over the mound in fifth for the Astros and held Burlington hitless for the frame.
The Royals broke the game open with three runs in bottom of seventh to make the score 5-1. Meibrys Viloria led off the half-inning with a lined single to left field off Astros reliever Salvador Montano, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Castellano. Riley King then drew a walk followed by Brain Bien wearing a hit-by-pitch to load the bases.
Jose Martinez followed by scoring Viloria and King on a single to left after the ball struck and ricocheted off of Montano. Brandon Dulin then singled to right field to score Bien and conclude the Royals' scoring efforts. Montano (1-3, 5.85 ERA) completed his appearance with two innings pitched, three runs on three hits, and three strikeouts.
The Astros added a run with a rallying effort in the top of the eighth inning against Royals reliever Gabriel Cramer. Shortstop Osvaldo Duarte drew a two-out walk and moved to second on a single by centerfielder Myles Straw. Then, Duarte advanced to third on a pickoff attempt resulting in an error while leftfielder Daz Cameron was batting. Eventually, Duarte crossed the plate on a ground ball single by Cameron to make the score 5-2.
Left-hander Starlyng Sanchez (1-0, 4.97 ERA) held off Burlington in the bottom of the eighth allowing no hits and striking out one.
The Astros remain deadlocked for second place with the Elizabethton Twins after the Twins fell to the division-leading Kingsport Mets 6-3 on Thursday. Greeneville will attempt to tie the series at one game apiece on Friday night in Burlington and, following Saturday's game, will return to Pioneer Park on Sunday against the Princeton Rays for the first of a three-game set to close out the regular season.
The Astros are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. For more information, visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
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Appalachian League Stories from August 27, 2015
- Astros Fall to Royals, 5-2, in Series Opener - Greeneville Astros
- D-Braves Still Chasing Playoffs, Defeat Blue Jays 6-3 - Danville Otterbots
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