Astros Win Streak Capped at 3
Published on August 6, 2016 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville, TN - After taking a three-run lead in the first, the Greeneville Astros (23-19) dropped a heartbreaker to the Bristol Pirates (17-24) in 10 innings. Bristol came out swinging, scoring five runs in the 10th and ending Greeneville's three-game win streak.
The Astros, on both the defensive and offensive sides, highlighted the first inning with centerfielder Luis Payano recording all three outs in the top of the first and the team combining to score three runs.
Second baseman Jonathan Arauz led off the inning with his team-leading eighth double of the year only to be followed up by a bunt single for newcomer Stijn van der Meer, pushing Arauz to third base. Abraham Toro-Hernandez broke open the scoring with a sacrifice fly plating Arauz and advancing van der Meer to second base. After a Chaz Pal hit by pitch, catcher Raymond Henderson laced a two RBI double to right field giving Greeneville an early 3-0 lead.
Greeneville extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth following back-to-back singles by Henderson and Payano. A wild pitch gave the Astros two runners in scoring position, but not before a groundout and a play at the plate recorded two quick outs. Arauz then stepped up to bat and collected an RBI on a line drive single to right field, his second of a season-high four hits on the night.
Bristol answered immediately in the top of the fifth with a Julio De La Cruz homerun to left field cutting the Astros lead to three. The homerun was the only run allowed by starter Carlos Sanabria (1-2) who tallied two strikeouts and only gave up three hits and one walk in six innings of work.
The Pirates were fortunate enough to have another base runner that inning after a passed ball on a strike out put a runner on first base. Henderson would make up for the mistake by throwing out the runner attempting to steal second and ending the inning.
Looking to take the lead, Bristol was aggressive with their bats in the seventh loading the bases with only one out after three singles. An RBI groundout scored one run until a Henrry Rosario three-run homerun put Bristol ahead 5-4, taking their first lead of the night.
Astros first baseman Troy Sieber, who extended his on-base streak to 19 games, singled to start the bottom of the seventh inning and was put into scoring position after a Pal walk. Following a wild pitch, both runners advanced with Sieber scoring the tying run as Bristol's catcher threw into center field trying to catch Pal advancing to second. Pal eventually got caught in a pickle, but not before Greeneville tied the game at five.
Greeneville fans almost witnessed another walk-off at Pioneer Park in the bottom of the ninth. Notching his third hit of the night, van der Meer led off the inning with a single. The Dutchman advanced to second on a wild pitch with only one out in the inning, and Sieber walked adding another runner to the base paths. After a strikeout for the second out, Henderson stepped up to the plate sending a ball to deep center field, but it fell in the glove of Bristol centerfielder Michael De La Cruz for the final out of the inning.
Bristol opened the tenth inning with an unstoppable offense that would go on to score five runs on five hits, two walks and two errors. Jhoan Herrera and Raul Siri both doubled and scored in the inning with Siri knocking in two runs. The Astros ended the inning turning their only double play of the night.
An Astros rally started strong once Payano stepped up to the plate and belted his fourth home run of the year to left field bringing Greeneville within four. With one out, the Astros put two more runners on base after a pitch hit Carlos Machado and Arauz singled. Bristol quickly settled down and recorded back-to-back fly outs securing the 10-6 Pirates win.
The Astros host the series finale Saturday night against the Pirates with first pitch set for 6:00pm. Patrick Sandoval (1-2) will take the mound for Greeneville with his sights set on taking the rubber match.
Appalachian League Stories from August 6, 2016
- Series Ends in 12-5 Sweep from Royals - Kingsport Axmen
- Gilliam Likes 'Advantage' of Switch-Hitting - Pulaski River Turtles
- Pulaski Takes Two from Princeton - Pulaski River Turtles
- Astros Win Streak Capped at 3 - Greeneville Astros
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