Doughboys Rally Falls Short in Elizabethton
Published on June 29, 2021 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Johnson City Doughboys News Release
Johnson City mounted a furious rally on Tuesday night to cut a six-run deficit to just one, but ended up falling short on the road in Elizabethton, 6-5.
The Doughboys had totaled just two hits through the first 7 2/3 innings, but with two outs in the eighth, five straight batters came to the plate and scored.
The monstrous inning was highlighted by a Joe Vetrano grand slam, the slugger's fourth home run in seven days.
The 414-foot blast was also Vetrano's second grand slam in the last five games.
The home run made it just 6-5 in favor of Elizabethton heading to the top of the ninth inning, where Jaxson Crull led off the frame for Johnson City by doubling down the right field line to put the tying run in scoring position.
However, Elizabethton pitcher Nathan Williams then finished off a four-out save by striking out three Doughboys in a row to end the game.
The game began as a pitching clinic, with Johnson City's Steven Casey and Elizabethton's Drew Gillespie picking up a combined 13 strikeouts through the first three innings. The River Riders then got on the board with an RBI single in the fourth, and would lead 6-0 after the seventh inning before the Doughboys' big two out rally in the eighth.
On offense, The Doughboys tallied just six hits and struck out sixteen times. Vetrano finished 2-for-4 at the plate with the home run and four RBIs.
Johnson City will return to Elizabethton on Wednesday night to complete the series. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
Fans can access live audio coverage of every Doughboys' game by visiting: https://www.mlb.com/appalachian-league/johnson-city/fans/audio-listen-live
Appalachian League Stories from June 29, 2021
- Greeneville Pitching Continues to Roll as Flyboys Blank Pulaski, 2-0 - Greeneville Flyboys
- Doughboys Rally Falls Short in Elizabethton - Johnson City Doughboys
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