MacDonald Delivers Walk-Off in 12th
Published on July 26, 2016 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville, TN - Playing in their league-high fourth extra inning game of the year, and third in the last nine games, the Greeneville Astros (17-15) took down the Princeton Rays (18-12) on a walk-off double in 12 innings. With Monday night's 3-2 win, the Astros now hold sole possession of first place in the Appalachian League West Division.
Greeneville struck early in the bottom of the first inning. Second baseman Miguelangel Sierra led off the inning with a single to left field and put himself into scoring position after stealing second base, his fourth of the year. A Connor MacDonald RBI single to centerfield put the Astros ahead, 1-0, and extended his hit streak to six games.
Astros starting pitcher Carlos Sanabria pitched lights out. In five innings of work, the 19-year-old tallied seven strikeouts while only surrendering three hits and one walk.
Greeneville would extend their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth as centerfielder Frankeny Fernandez slugged his second homerun of the year over the left field wall. It was the first of three hits on the night for Fernandez.
Princeton finally struck for their first run in the top of the sixth inning. The Rays started the inning off with a leadoff walk and a single to left field. A passed ball put runners at second and third setting the Rays up to score their first run on an Isaac Bernard sacrifice fly. After recording a strikeout for the second out of the inning, an Emilio Gustave RBI double to center field tied the game at two apiece before he was thrown out attempting to advance to third.
Astros pitcher Carlos Hiraldo gave up a leadoff triple in the top of the seventh inning, but back-to-back groundouts to shortstop and third base gave him a chance to escape unscathed. After giving up a walk, Hiraldo recorded the strikeout and ended the threat, keeping the game tied at two.
Greeneville had a chance to take back the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning following a one out single by Gabriel Bracamonte. The Astros catcher advanced to second following his second stolen base of the season and then got to third after a wild pitch. After a ground ball was hit right back to the pitcher, Bracamonte was caught in a pickle and eventually thrown out at home.
Pitchers Angelo Serrano (1-1) and Devin Raftery (2-0) combined to pitch the final four innings striking out five Rays and only giving up one hit, which set the stage for an Astros' walk-off.
In the bottom of the 12th, Fernandez hit a one out single to left field, bringing MacDonald up to the plate. The Astros first baseman laced his team-leading sixth double of the year into the right center field gap and Fernandez scored the game-winning run all the way from first base. With his walk-off hit, MacDonald secured his second consecutive three-hit night.
The Astros continue their current homestand Tuesday at 7:00pm with the second game of the series against the Rays. Greeneville will send Patrick Sandoval (1-0) to the mound as the Astros will go for the series win.
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 26, 2016
- Blue Jays Hold off K-Mets, Win 5-4 - Kingsport Axmen
- Gilliam Leads Yankees to Game Two Win - Pulaski River Turtles
- Garcia Proving He Belongs in Yankees Organization - Pulaski River Turtles
- Esurance and Minor League Baseball to Honor Best Hometown Fans With New Home Field Advantage Award - Bluefield Ridge Runners
- MacDonald Delivers Walk-Off in 12th - Greeneville Astros
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
