Cardinals Outlast Astros in 13
July 21, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Johnson City, TN - The Greeneville Astros (14-13) and Johnson City Cardinals (15-10) entered Wednesday night as the top two teams in the Appalachian League West Division. In a back-and-forth game, the two battled for 13 innings before the Cardinals caught a break and walked off with a 7-6 win.
It was the second consecutive night the Cardinals scored the game-winning run against the Astros in their final at-bat, but it was also the fourth straight game for the Astros to end in that fashion after previously winning back-to-back games on walk-offs against the Bluefield Blue Jays.
Trailing 4-3 heading into the ninth, the Astros scored the tying run on a Connor MacDonald line drive RBI single to plate Vicente Sanchez. Then, in the bottom of the inning, Sanchez went airborne in left field to make a diving grab for the final out on what looked to be a potential game-winning hit for the Cardinals with a runner in scoring position at second.
In extra innings for the third time this season and the second time in four days, the Astros got off to a good start in the 10th frame. Ruben Castro and Tyler Wolfe each got on with singles before Frankeny Fernandez drove them both home with a two-out, two-run single up the middle to put the Astros on top for the first time in the game, 6-4.
Facing a two-run deficit with one out in the bottom of the tenth, the Cardinals got a solo homer from J.R. Davis to pull back within one. Then, with two outs, they tied the game on an Astros throwing error while attempting to get the final out at first.
The game remained tied at 6-6 through the 11th and 12th innings. Then, in the bottom of the 13th, the Cardinals had the bases loaded on a double, a single, and an intentional walk. With one out on the board, Astros reliever Devin Raftery entered the game and got pinch-hitter Andrew Knizner to hit a ground ball to shortstop Miguelangel Sierra who threw home to Ruben Castro for the force out. However, the Astros committed an error in their attempt to also throw out the runner at first for an inning-ending double play. That mistake allowed Bryce Denton to come all the way around from second, ahead of the throw back home, for the game-deciding score.
The Cardinals had initially taken the lead all the way back in the first inning on a Shane Billings RBI ground out. It took a few innings, but the Astros matched when Fernandez did the same in the fifth for the first of his five RBI on the night.
Billings did more damage in the sixth, along with Yariel Gonzalez, as they connected on back-to-back RBI singles. However, the matching game continued as the Astros totaled two scores in the seventh when Fernandez drove in both runs on a double into left field.
The last run for the Cardinals, prior to extra innings, came in the bottom of the seventh when Denton scored from third on a ground ball double play to put them up 4-3 until the Astros forced extra innings during the ninth.
For the Astros, Fernandez and Castro led the way as each player went three-for-six with a double. Tyler Wolfe also played a major role as he finished two-for-four with a walk and three runs scored.
Left-handed pitcher Carlos Hiraldo started the game for the Astros and pitched five full innings. He finished the night surrendering one unearned run on four hits with two strikeouts.
The winning pitcher for the Cardinals was reliever Noel Gonzalez as he pitched the final inning, allowed no hits or runs, and struck out two.
The Astros will travel back to Johnson City for the final game of the road series on Thursday at 7:00pm. Right-hander Diogenes Almengo will be taking the mound for the Astros.
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Appalachian League Stories from July 21, 2016
- Pal Powers Astros to Win - Greeneville Astros
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- Rays Drop Series Finale 8-5 to Royals - Princeton WhistlePigs
- Cardinals Outlast Astros in 13 - Greeneville Astros
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