Early Deficit Too Much for Astros to Overcome
July 29, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Bristol, VA - The Greeneville Astros (19-16) scored five unanswered runs against the Bristol Pirates (14-19) beginning in the fourth inning of Wednesday night's game at Boyce Cox Field, but it was not enough to overcome an early 9-2 deficit. Despite the 9-7 loss at the hands of the Pirates, the Astros maintain their hold on first place in the Appalachian League West.
The Pirates got started early by plating four runs with two outs in the bottom of the first inning. The scores came on a two-run single from Julio De La Cruz, an Erik Lunde RBI double, and an Astros fielding error.
The Astros answered in the top of the second inning with a Hector Roa two-run blast to immediately cut the Pirates lead in half. It was Roa's team-leading sixth home run of the season, and he has now homered in back-to-back games at Bristol following a three-run shot in Tuesday night's Astros win.
Bristol recovered over the next two innings as they built on their lead. First, Carlos Munoz hit a two-run homer in the second. It was the slugger's eighth home run of the season, tying him for the league lead. Then, in the third, Logan Ratledge connected on a three-run homer to give the Pirates their largest lead at 9-2.
Despite a seven-run deficit, Greeneville continued to fight their way back into the game. Samil De Los Santos and Albert Abreu each did their part as they combined to pitch five and one-third scoreless innings in relief of starter Salvador Montaño. De Los Santos pitched one and one-third while Abreu went the final four innings, racking up seven strikeouts in the process.
Offensively, Brauly Mejia got the Astros going again with a solo homer in the fourth inning. In the sixth, Roa picked up another RBI on a ground ball single into center field. Mejia followed with a single of his own, and both scored on a Pirates' throwing error.
Roa and Mejia led the way for the Astros all night as each went two-for-four, scored two runs, and hit a home run apiece. Justin Garcia also contributed a one-for-three night with two runs and a double for Greeneville.
The Astros final run came in the seventh inning as Ford Stainback got a one-out double and later scored on another throwing error from Bristol to cut the Pirates' lead to two. However, that would be as close as the Astros would get in their quest for a major comeback.
The Astros head back to Bristol for the deciding game three of the series on Thursday night 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 29, 2015
- Early Deficit Too Much for Astros to Overcome - Greeneville Astros
- Astros Roll to 12-4 Win over Pirates - Greeneville Astros
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