Cardinals Snap Astros 8-Game Win Streak

July 19, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release


Johnson City, TN - The Greeneville Astros (14-12) had their eight-game win streak snapped by the Johnson City Cardinals (14-10) on a walk-off single on Tuesday night. For the Astros, it was their third consecutive game to end in such a manner.

The game went back-and-forth early on as each team traded runs in both the first and third innings. The Astros scored first on a Bryan De La Cruz RBI double before Johnson City's Matt Fielder matched with one of his own in the bottom of the first.

In the third, with two outs, Marcos Almonte got on with a single for the Astros and stole second before Troy Sieber knocked him in on a ground ball single to right field. Then, the Cardinals once again came back with Fielder driving in a run on a single to even the game at 2-2.

Still with one out in the third and the bases loaded, Astros left-hander Ben Smith entered the game and forced the Cardinals to ground into a double play to end the threat. Smith would go on to pitch a total of four and two-thirds innings, striking out seven while surrendering one run on three hits.

The Astros answered the Cardinals tying score in the fourth with a go-ahead run that would stand until late in the game. With one out, Abraham Toro doubled and advanced to third on a Connor MacDonald single. Then, Jonathan Arauz hit a sacrifice fly to bring Toro home to put Greeneville on top, 3-2.

It would be the bottom of the seventh inning before another score would occur as the Cardinals came back to even the game for the third time. This time, Yariel Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly to plate the tying run.

The Astros were unable to get anything going at the plate in the eighth or ninth innings. However, the Cardinals got a leadoff double from DeAndre Asbury-Heath in the bottom of the ninth to instantly get a runner in scoring position. After moving over to third on a sacrifice bunt, Asbury-Heath scored the game-winning run on an Allen Cordoba walk-off single to give the Cardinals a 4-3 win and the lead in the Appalachian League West Division.

Cardinals reliever Estarlin Arias (3-0), who was one of three Johnson City pitchers to throw a scoreless inning in relief, picked up the win after entering for the final frame.

The loss for the Astros ended the second longest win streak in club history at eight games. Coincidentally, the 10-game win streak in 2013 also ended on a previously suspended game in Johnson City.

The Astros will look to even the series against the Cardinals on Wednesday night with lefty Carlos Hiraldo taking the mound. Game time will be at 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 July 19, 2016


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