Mayfield delivers 13th inning walk-off Jack, Astros win streak at 12
July 25, 2013 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville, TN "" The Greeneville Astros (22-10) and Johnson City Cardinals (14-17) seem to have tight battles in every game they play, and Wednesday night's back-and-forth match-up was no exception. The 13-inning affair went nearly 4.5 hours before Astros shortstop Jack Mayfield delivered a walk-off homer to send the Appalachian League leading Astros to their twelfth straight win.
The Astros began the game with RBI singles from Edwin Gomez and Darwin Rivera in the first inning to put them up 2-0. Two innings later, the Cardinals scored their first run on a Yoenny Gonzalez RBI double and then a fielding error with the bases loaded scored two more as the lead changed hands for the first time.
In the fifth inning, still trailing 3-2, the Astros had a three-run inning of their own. Edwin Gomez, who finished three-for-five on the night and had already knocked in one run, connected on another RBI single to tie the game. Then, Ricky Gingras and Brian Holberton each did the same and brought in two more runs to give the Astros a 5-3 advantage.
Two innings later, in the seventh, Brian Holberton drew a walk for the Astros with the bases loaded to make it a three-run game at 6-3. That would be the biggest lead of the night for either team, but it did not last long.
In the eighth inning, the Cardinals loaded the bases with no outs before Rowan Wick hit a two-run double to close the gap to one. The Astros struck out the next two batters before Ronnierd Garcia stole home on a double steal to even the game at 6-6. With the score tied, both teams missed on opportunities to take the lead before the game was sent into extra innings. Then, after a scoreless 10th inning, the Cardinals scored on a deep sacrifice fly by Yoenny Gonzalez in the top of the 11th.
However, the Astros fought back to tie the game once more, at 7-7, on a Jack Mayfield line drive RBI single to center field with two outs in the bottom of the 11th. That hit would turn out to be just the beginning of Mayfield's heroics.
In the 12th inning, the Cardinals were threatening with the bases loaded and one out. A ground ball was hit to Mayfield at shortstop who immediately threw home to eliminate the lead runner for the Cardinals. Then, the next batter also grounded out to Mayfield as he stepped on second base himself to end the Cardinals chances of taking the lead.
The score was still 7-7 in the bottom of the 13th inning. After two quick strikeouts, the Astros got a base hit from Ariel Ovando before Mayfield stepped up to the plate one more time and ended the game with a two-run homer on a fly ball to left field that just cleared the outfield wall. It was his third homer of the season and by the time he made it around the bags, Mayfield was greeted at home by the entire Astros team in a massive celebration.
Through the course of the game, the Cardinals used eight pitchers while the Astros went through five. Greeneville's Gerardo Ramirez pitched the final two innings for the Astros and picked up the win. Over his two innings of work, Ramirez gave up one hit and walked two but never allowed a run.
The Astros will be looking for a series sweep as they close their three-game series with Johnson City on Thursday at 7:00pm at Pioneer Park. On Friday, the Astros will begin a new home series against the Pulaski Mariners. For more information on the Greeneville Astros, please visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
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Appalachian League Stories from July 25, 2013
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- Mayfield delivers 13th inning walk-off Jack, Astros win streak at 12 - Greeneville Astros
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