Astros Top Yankees for Third Straight
July 14, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville, TN - The Greeneville Astros (9-11) defeated the Pulaski Yankees (9-10) on Wednesday night to rack up their 200th all-time win at Pioneer Park. The game was never in jeopardy for the Astros as they took an early lead and were never threatened on their way to a 5-1 victory and a season-high third consecutive win.
The Astros jumped ahead right from the first inning. Right fielder Bryan De La Cruz got on base with a walk, and Gabriel Bracamonte hit a double to bring him in for the first run of the game.
In the third, the Astros were back at it again as Jonathan Arauz singled on a ground ball to lead off the inning and was moved over to second on a Miguelangel Sierra bunt single. When De La Cruz followed with a ground ball single into left field, Arauz attempted to head all the way around but was thrown out at the plate. However, Sierra advanced to third on the throw and scored on a wild pitch with Connor MacDonald batting.
It was all Marcos Almonte for the Astros in the fourth. With one out, he got on base with a line drive single into center field. Then, with Tyler Wolfe batting, Almonte stole both second and third before scoring on a wild pitch to put the Astros on top, 3-0.
At the conclusion of the fourth inning, the Astros went to the bullpen in relief of starting pitcher Ben Smith. The left-hander ended up with a total of four strikeouts after allowing just one hit and two walks over four scoreless innings.
Angelo Serrano got the call to replace Smith in the top of the fifth, and he continued the good night for the Astros pitching staff through the next three innings to put himself in line for the win. The 24-year-old right-hander kept the Yankees scoreless while allowing just one hit and one walk to go along with six strikeouts.
Before Serrano exited the game, the Astros came out in the seventh to rack up two more runs. Sierra drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Then, De La Cruz tripled to score Sierra and came home on another wild pitch to extend the Astros lead to 5-0.
Sierra and De La Cruz, who were the first two hitters in the lineup, both went two-for-three on the night and scored two runs each. Meanwhile, Bracamonte also had a multi-hit game as he finished two-for-four.
The Yankees managed to avoid a shutout as they tallied their lone run of the night in the eighth inning. Josh Gardner led off with a single before Dermis Garcia hit a ground ball RBI double down the left field line to bring in the run.
Greeneville's Reggie Johnson closed the game for the Astros as he pitched the final two innings and gave up one run on two hits.
The Astros and Yankees will be back on the field at Pioneer Park on Thursday to play game two of their series. The game will start at 7:00pm with Carlos Hiraldo on the mound for Greeneville.
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 July 14, 2016
- Late Runs Prevail for Bristol in 11-5 Win - Kingsport Axmen
- Thursdays Astros, Yankees Game Out - Greeneville Astros
- Astros Down Yankees 5-1 - Pulaski River Turtles
- Astros Top Yankees for Third Straight - Greeneville Astros
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