Astros Rally to Even Championship Series in Dramatic Fashion
September 8, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Randy Cesar of the Greeneville Astros
(Greeneville Astros, Credit: Hunter Reed)
Princeton, WV - The Greeneville Astros had their largest come-from-behind win of the year on Monday in game two of the Appalachian League Championship Series. Facing a five-run deficit heading into the seventh inning, the Astros rallied for a dramatic 10-8 win over the Princeton Rays to avoid elimination and force a series-deciding game three on Tuesday in Princeton.
The Astros fell into a hole early as the Rays built a four-run lead through the first three innings. In the first inning, Princeton scored on a Greeneville throwing error while trying to get the lead runner at second base before adding a Kewby Meyer two-run double. Then, David Rodriguez led off the third inning with a solo homer.
Over the next two innings, the Astros recovered to get back into the game. In the fourth inning, with two outs, the Astros got back-to-back solo home runs from Kyle Tucker and Connor Goedert. Then, with two outs in the fifth inning, Rodrigo Ayarza doubled and scored on a Myles Straw RBI-single to pull the Astros within a single run.
Princeton answered right back with a two runs apiece in the bottom of the fifth and sixth to increase their lead to five runs, their largest lead of the game. In the fifth, Jose Rojas connected on a two-run double. Then, in the sixth, Jonathan Popadics scored on a wild pitch before Rodriguez knocked in his second run of the game with a RBI single.
Trailing 8-3 at the start of the seventh inning, Christian Correa entered the game for the Astros as a pinch-hitter in place of catcher Kevin Martir and started the inning off with a single. Designated hitter Brauly Mejia followed with another single before Arturo Michelena loaded the bases as he reached on a Princeton fielding error at third. Then, Ayarza came back up to the plate and ripped a grand slam over the right field fence to pull Greeneville back within one at 8-7.
Unable to produce any runs on two hits in the eighth inning, the Astros still needed to overcome a one-run deficit going into the ninth. Once again, Ayarza came through with a leadoff base hit and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Straw. Then, with two outs, Tucker drew a walk and Goedert loaded the bases with an infield single to shortstop.
Following a Princeton pitching change, Astros' third baseman Randy Cesar was at the plate for the Astros. Facing a one-two count, Cesar was able to single into shallow right field. Aided by a fielding error, Cesar ended up on third as three runs came around to score and give the Astros their first lead of the game.
Astros' reliever Samil De Los Santos, who had entered the game in the eighth, came back out to finish it off in the ninth with a one-two-three inning. He faced the minimum over his two scoreless innings, picked up two strikeouts, and was credited with the win.
As a team, the Astros concluded the night with 10 runs on 16 hits, including a season-high three home runs. Cesar and Ayarza led the way for Greeneville with three hits apiece. Ayarza was three-for-four while Cesar was three-for-five. However, four others had multi-hit nights as Daz Cameron, Tucker, Goedert and Correa finished with two hits each.
The winner-take-all game three will take place at Hunnicutt Field in Princeton on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00pm.
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
 Randy Cesar of the Greeneville Astros (Hunter Reed) |
Appalachian League Stories from September 8, 2015
- Astros Beat Rays to Win Championship Series - Princeton WhistlePigs
- Astros Rally to Even Championship Series in Dramatic Fashion - Greeneville Astros
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