Late Inning Magic Not Enough as Astros Fall to Cardinals
July 9, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Johnson City, TN - The Greeneville Astros lost game one of a three game series with the Johnson City Cardinals Wednesday night by a score of 6-4. With the loss, the Astros fall into a two-way tie with the Elizabethton Twins for third place in the Appalachian League West division, and see their record drop to one game below .500 (7-8 overall).
Johnson City jumped out to an early lead on the Astros in the bottom of the first. Edmundo Sosa got things started for the Cardinals by slugging a triple to left field on a deep fly ball. An Astros throwing error allowed Sosa to score, and put Johnson City ahead 1-0. They added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a couple of doubles by Hunter Newman and Chris Rivera, and a three-run homer from Ryan McCarvel, bringing the score to 6-0. However, solid Greeneville pitching would stop the Cardinals' offensive display there, as Johnson City did not score after the fifth inning.
Greeneville had a promising opportunity to get on the board in the top of the fifth, but was unable to bring a run home. Justin Garcia led off the fifth inning with a single for his sixth hit of the season. Hector Roa followed with a line drive double into left field, advancing Garcia to third. Luis Payano then drew a two-out walk to load up the bases, but all three runners would be stranded.
The Astros got their first run of the night in the sixth inning when Hector Roa plated Brauly Mejia on his second double of the game. Mejia drew a two-out walk, and was advanced to third on a Justin Garcia single. Roa then displayed his opposite field power by shooting a line drive to right field, scoring Mejia easily from third.
Greeneville further chipped away at Johnson City's lead in the eighth inning by plating another run and bringing the score to 6-2. Connor Goedert led off the inning by sending a line drive into centerfield for a double, his sixth of the year. Mejia responded with a double of his own to score Goedert from second, but never came across to score himself.
In the top of the ninth inning, down by four runs, the Astros looked for some late inning magic to halt their three-game losing streak. Luis Payano led off the inning by absolutely demolishing a ball to deep left-centerfield which bounced off the top of the fence and landed on the other side for a solo home run, his first home run of the year. Connor Goedert came up with two-outs and produced a home run of his own on a screaming line drive to left. For Goedert, it was his third home run and his league-leading 16th RBI of the season. However, a Johnson City pitching change brought in Steven De La Cruz who forced a pop-up to first base to end the game.
Although the Astros did not emerge victorious, they witnessed impressive hitting performances from multiple players. Connor Goedert went two-for-five in the ballgame with a double, a home run, and a RBI; Hector Roa, who has seven hits in his last eleven at-bats, went three-for-four at the plate with two doubles and a RBI; Brauly Mejia, after moving up to fourth in the batting order, picked up two hits and a RBI in four at-bats; Justin Garcia had his first multi-hit night of the season, going two-for-four from the five-hole.
Alex Winkelman picked up the loss for the Astros after surrendering four runs over 3.1 innings pitched, although he did strike out two. Erasmo Pinales was superb in relief, not allowing a run to score over his 3.2 innings of work, dropping his ERA to 1.54.
The Astros will return to Johnson City on Thursday for game two of the series with the Cardinals. First pitch is set for 7:00 PM.
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 9, 2015
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- P-Rays Lose to Elizabethton - Princeton WhistlePigs
- P-Rays Fall to Pulaski - Princeton WhistlePigs
- Late Inning Magic Not Enough as Astros Fall to Cardinals - Greeneville Astros
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