Astros split doubleheader with Johnson City Cardinals
July 7, 2012 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville, TN - The Greeneville Astros and Johnson City Cardinals split their doubleheader on Friday night at Pioneer Park. The Astros are now 10-7 on the season and maintain a 1.5 game lead over Johnson City for second place in the Appalachian League West Division.
The doubleheader took place due to Thursday's game being postponed for rain. Although doubleheaders in the Appalachian League are scheduled as 7-inning games, the first game on Friday took nine to determine a winner. It was the third time in the last four home games that the Astros had to go into extra innings.
Greeneville starter Adrian Houser pitched seven shutout innings, giving up four hits and striking out six. At the time of his departure, there was no score in the game and it remained scoreless until the ninth.
In the top of the ninth inning, the Cardinals first two batters struck out. However, back-to-back singles from Johnson City' Bruce Caldwell and Carson Kelly followed by a Steve Bean walk loaded the bases. Then, Lance Jeffries was hit by a pitch to score the winning run.
Following a 30 minute break between games, the Astros and Cardinals returned to the field for the second game of the doubleheader.
After C.J. McElroy was hit by a pitch to start the game, Johnson City's Jeremy Schaffer gave the Cardinals an early lead in the first inning with a two-run homer. Although that would be the only hit for the Cardinals in game two, they maintained a 2-0 lead until the fourth inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Terrell Joyce and Ariel Ovando each connected for base hits. Then, Jimmy Howick drew a walk to load the bases for the Astros with one out. A Ricky Gingras ground out then allowed one run to score and cut the Cardinals lead in half.
In the fifth inning, the Astros got a leadoff homer by Jose Monzon to even the score at 2-2 with two innings to play. It was the second home run of the season for the outfielder.
The very next inning, Ovando came up with one out and hit a line drive to right field to get on base. Following a passed ball by the Cardinals and a Howick walk, the Astros had the go-ahead run in scoring position. At that point, the Astros were able to take advantage of two costly throwing errors from Johnson City to get two runs and pick up the 4-2 win.
Zach Dando (2-0) earned the win for the Astros, giving up no runs, no hits and striking out one over two innings.
The Astros begin a three-game series with the Bristol White Sox at Pioneer Park on Saturday at 6:00pm. For more information on the Greeneville Astros, please visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
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Appalachian League Stories from July 7, 2012
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- Astros split doubleheader with Johnson City Cardinals - Greeneville Astros
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