Mariners Cling to 6-5 Victory
August 6, 2014 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Pulaski Mariners News Release
The Pulaski Mariners (26-19) achieved the series sweep against the Kingsport Mets (20-25), but their victory did not come without high drama. Pulaski almost let the lead slip from their grasp, but held on for the 6-5 victory.
Daniel Missaki (4-1, 2.29 ERA) started for Pulaski. Missaki struggled in his prior start at Danville, but the righty returned to the dominant form for which he is accustomed. Daniel threw six innings of one run ball, allowed only three hits, and struck out seven Mets for his fourth win of the year.
The Mariners struck for four runs in the bottom of the first. Leadoff batter Gianfranco Wawoe singled into left field, and back-to-back walks to Jay Baum and Estarlyn Morales loaded the bases. With one out, Wayne Taylor bounced a ball past first base and into right field which scored Wawoe. Both Baum and Morales scored when Mets' right fielder Wuilmer Becerra misplayed Taylor's ball.
Daniel Torres picked up Taylor with a sacrifice fly to right field to complete to scoring barrage.
Pulaski added two vital insurance runs in the fourth inning off starter Yoryi Nuez (2-5, 3.47 ERA)-both coming with two outs in the inning. Baum walked and scored on a double by Morales. One batter later, Carlton Tanabe singled to bring home Morales.
Neuz would not survive the inning-he lasted only three-and-two-thirds innings. He was responsible for all six runs, four earned, on six hits, and lost the game.
All bats fell quiet until the top of the ninth inning. Rigoberto Garcia (0-1, 17.65 ERA) was charged to pitch the final inning, but was unable to record a single out. Garcia walked the first two batters, and Becerra singled to load the bases. Kingsport outfielder Vicente Lupo crushed a Garcia offering into deep left-center field for a grand-slam home run.
Manager Rob Mummau could no longer leave the floundering Garcia in a one-run game and turned to closer Trey Cochran-Gill (3-0, 0.00 ERA). Prior to Tuesday night, Cochran-Gill had been immaculate, but even he struggled-giving up two consecutive singles to start off his appearance.
Cochran-Gill did settle down and retired the next three batters, but the second out did not come without drama. Luis Guillorme grounded into a potential game-ending double play, but Wawoe's relay through to first was wide of its mark. Tanabe saved the game with a leaping snag of the throw to keep Branden Kaupen at third base.
The Mariners take Wednesday off as they prepare for a three-game series against the Greeneville Astros which will begin on Thursday night.
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Appalachian League Stories from August 6, 2014
- Mariners Cling to 6-5 Victory - Pulaski Mariners
- Nunez doubles twice, but Astros fall to Pirates 7-4 - Greeneville Astros
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