Astros Take Opener over Braves, 6-5

August 21, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release


Danville, VA - The Greeneville Astros (28-27) took a 6-5, series-opening victory over the Danville Braves (26-30) on Thursday.

The two clubs battled through the first five innings tied at 3-3 until the Astros opened the game to their advantage with three runs in the top of the sixth. Both teams also posted eleven hits through the course of the matchup.

The Astros took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. It began with a leadoff single by Myles Straw to center field before stealing second with Daz Cameron batting. Cameron followed by drawing a walk then advanced to second as Straw scored on a wild pitch with Conner Goedert at the plate.

First-round draftee Kyle Tucker knocked a single to right to score Cameron, which was followed by Kevin Martir drawing the second walk of the inning. Martir and Tucker would advance to second and third, respectively after another wild pitch, this time with Justin Garcia batting. However, no more runs would score and the Astros concluded their half of the inning with a two-run advantage.

The Braves answered with two runs in the home half of the inning with hits by Yeudi Grullon, Justin Ellison, Austin Riley and Carlos Castro with runs scored by Ellison and Riley. Danville took the lead in the bottom of the fourth with Grullon reaching on an error then scoring on a double by Ronald Acuna to make the score 3-2.

Right-hander Andrew Thome started the game for the Astros, throwing four full innings allowing seven hits, three runs, one earned run, walking one and striking out three.

Greeneville quickly answered to tie the score in the top of the fifth spurred by a walk drawn by Cameron who advanced on a throwing error with Randy Cesar batting. Cesar drew a walk but was victim to a succeeding double play. Tucker lined a single to center to score Cameron then stole his sixth base since his call-up to Greeneville.

The Astros took the lead again in the top of the sixth beginning with Arturo Michelena and Osvaldo Duarte drawing consecutive walks. Straw then reached first on an error during his sacrifice bunt attempt to load the bases. Michelena scored the go-ahead run during a groundout by Cameron to put Greeneville up by one run.

With two runners in scoring position, Cesar grounded out to score Duarte making the score 5-3 in the Astros favor. Goedert then knocked his team-leading 18th double of the season to right to score Straw before the inning ended.

Left-hander Matt Bower picked up his second win of 2015 holding Danville scoreless over three innings pitched, allowing just two hits and striking out five batters.

The Braves threatened in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run by Juan Yepez. Then, Jake Lanning reached on an error one batter later and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Grullon. Acuna tripled to center to score Lanning before the inning ended with the score 6-5 in Greeneville's advantage.

Cristhopher Santamaria pitched an inning in relief allowing two runs on two hits with a strikeout tossed. Righty Samil De Los Santos earned his second save holding the Braves hitless in the ninth with one strikeout.

Straw led the Astros offense with a three-for-four performance with two runs scored and a double. Tucker and Justin Garcia finished the night two-for-five with Garcia doubling twice. Martir concluded the night two-for-three and drew two walks.

Cameron went one-for-three with two runs scored and a RBI. Cesar picked up his 25th RBI of the season, which is second on the team only to Goedert's 36 following his two-RBI night. Meanwhile, while Michelena and Duarte each scored one run.

The Astros take on the Braves in the second game of the series on Friday. Game time 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.



Appalachian League Stories from August 21, 2015


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