Braves Rain on Astros' Parade
Published on June 26, 2015 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Connor Goedert of the Greeneville Astros
(Greeneville Astros, Credit: Ray Reynolds)
Greeneville, TN - The Greeneville Astros lost the first game of a three game series against the Danville Braves on Friday night on a game that ended early due to inclement weather. With the loss, the Astros' record falls to 2-2 overall and 1-1 at Pioneer Park. Greeneville moves into a four-way tie for first place in the Appalachian League West with the Elizabethton Twins, Johnson City Cardinals, and Kingsport Mets.
The first seven innings of the ballgame did not feature overwhelming offensive performances by either team. Greeneville managed to get a man to third base in the second inning, thanks to a couple of drawn walks by Aaron Mizell and Connor Goedert, and a wild pitch, but they were unable to bring him in. The Astros were limited to just five hits in the game, while Danville finished with nine.
Greeneville's starting pitcher, Salvador Montano, threw five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out five. Making his first ever professional appearance, the 20 year-old, 6'3" Dominican kept Greeneville in the ballgame early by retiring the first seven batters he faced.
On the offensive side of the board, the Astros were led by first baseman Connor Goedert. Goedert, the 21 year-old right-hander from Andover, Kansas was the Astros' round 15 pick in the 2014 MLB Draft. Making the move from third base to first base over the offseason, Goedert has given Astros fans plenty to cheer about through his numerous out-saving scoops and stretches. The second-year Greeneville Astro went 2-2 at the plate on Friday, slugging his second double of the season and reaching base three times. Other Astros recording hits in the ballgame included Osvaldo Duarte, Myles Straw, and Aaron Mizell.
Brandon Culbreth came in to relieve Montano on the mound in the top of the sixth inning for Greeneville. Also making his first appearance of the year, Culbreth followed suit and pitched two scoreless innings, striking out two. The 22 year-old righty from Winston-Salem, North Carolina was an eighth round draft pick by Houston back in 2011, and has come to Greeneville after missing the entirety of last season due to injury.
The offensive stalemate was broken up in the top of the eighth when a run came across to score after a costly throwing error and a couple well placed singles. Alejandro Solarte came in to pitch for Greeneville, and although he struck out two in the inning, was eventually accredited with the loss. In the bottom half of the inning the Astros threatened to tie-up the score by moving Goedert to third base with only one out, but he was left stranded.
The game really started to slip away from Greeneville in the top of the ninth when Danville plated three runs on a couple of early singles and a long triple off the bat of Luke Dykstra. Just as Juan Delis entered the game to relieve Solarte, a thunderstorm hit Pioneer Park and the game was delayed and eventually concluded.
Stephen Moore was awarded the victory for the Braves after entering the ballgame in the fifth inning and pitching three scoreless innings; Sean McLauthlin picked up the save.
The Astros will face off against the Braves again on Saturday, June 27th at Pioneer Park at 6:00 PM. Fans will be gifted a promotional Greeneville Astros fanny pack upon entering the stadium and will have an opportunity to play on the field with vintage baseball gear from the Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball after the game.
Images from this story
 Connor Goedert of the Greeneville Astros (Ray Reynolds) |
Appalachian League Stories from June 26, 2015
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