MacDonald Hits for Cycle as Astros Roll over Rays, 14-3
June 30, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Princeton, WV - Greeneville Astros first baseman Connor MacDonald became the first player in team history to hit for the cycle when he did so in a 14-3 win at the Princeton Rays on Wednesday night. The Aussie was just part of the offensive explosion for the Astros as they collected 15 total hits including 10 extra base hits and four home runs.
After a scoreless first inning, the Astros proceeded to score in each of the next six. Meanwhile, all of the Rays runs came from a Bobby Melley three-run homer in the fourth which cut the Astros lead to 6-3 at the time.
MacDonald, who was batting ninth in the order, went four-for-four on the night and scored four runs. He singled to lead off the third inning, hit a solo homer in the fourth, led off the sixth with a double, and completed the cycle with a RBI triple in the seventh. Then, he drew a walk in his last at-bat in the ninth.
The Astros were hot at the plate all the way from the top of the lineup to the bottom as all nine hitters collected at least one hit. Leadoff man Frankeny Fernandez followed MacDonald when it was time to return to the top of the order, and he copied his predecessor exactly on two separate occasions. In the fourth, the centerfielder matched to give the Astros back-to-back homers as he and MacDonald became the tenth and eleventh different Astros to hit a home run this season. Then, in the seventh, they connected on back-to-back triples.
In the top of the third inning, with MacDonald on second and one out, Miguelangel Sierra increased the Astros lead to 3-0 with a two-run homer. It was Sierra's second of the year and gave the Astros at least one home run in each of their first seven games.
Following the two homers by MacDonald and Fernandez in the fourth, leftfielder Spencer Johnson made it four on the night when he brought MacDonald home on a two-run shot in the sixth. The four homers are the most by an Astros team in a single game since 2012. Furthermore, it was Johnson's second in two nights and gave the Astros a league-best 13 homers on the young season.
Other important contributors in the scoring outburst for the Astros included catcher Gabriel Bracamonte and third baseman Tyler Wolfe. Bracamonte had a RBI single in the fourth and Tyler Wolfe had a two-run single in the fifth before knocking in another run in the seventh for his third RBI.
Astros starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval, an 11th round selection in 2015, picked up his first professional win in his second start of the season. The lefty went five and two-thirds innings giving up three runs on six hits with four strikeouts.
Right-hander Diogenes Almengo came on in relief and closed the game with three and one-third hitless innings to earn the save.
The Astros (2-5) will face Princeton (4-3) in game two of their three-game series against the Rays on Thursday. Game time is set for 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 June 30, 2016
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- Kevin Cornelius Transitioning to Power Player - Pulaski River Turtles
- MacDonald Hits for Cycle as Astros Roll over Rays, 14-3 - Greeneville Astros
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