Nottingham, Roa carry Astros past Mariners, 4-1
Published on August 8, 2014 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Pulaski, VA - On Thursday night at Calfee Park, it was a battle of two second-placed teams in the Appalachian League as the Pulaski Mariners (26-20) hosted the visiting Greeneville Astros (25-22). After being locked in a 1-1 tie, a three-run eighth inning ultimately carried the Astros past the Mariners, 4-1.
With two outs and two runners on base in the top of the eighth inning, Astros designated hitter Hector Roa tripled on a line drive to right field for the go-ahead scores. Then, after Jacob Nottingham drew the Astros' third walk of the inning, he and Roa pulled off a double steal that brought Roa home for the final run.
Prior to the game-deciding eighth inning, the Astros had taken the initial lead in the game on a solo homerun from Nottingham back in the second inning. It was his third homer and team-leading 23rd RBI of the season as he went on to go one-for-two with two walks and a stolen base.
In the fifth inning, the Mariners evened the score at 1-1. After a leadoff double from Carlton Tanabe, his 13th of the year, he moved over to second on a Brett Thomas single and scored on a Wayne Taylor groundout.
On the night, the Astros scored four runs on six hits while the Mariners finished with one run on five hits. Neither team committed an error.
The win for the Astros gives them a 10-4 record on the road since July 1st. With 14 road games left in the season compared to seven at home, it will be important for that trend to continue if the Astros are to make their second consecutive playoff appearance.
Astros' starting left-hander Austin Nicely, who has a league-best 0.60 ERA since July 23rd, gave up an earned run for the first time in his last 18 innings. He finished the night pitching five innings with four strikeouts while giving up three hits and one walk.
Nicely was relieved in the sixth inning by Juan Santos, who was seeing his first game action in over a month. However, the time off did not seem to bother him too much as he gave up just one hit and struck out two.
Jorge Perez (W, 2-1), who ended up the winning pitcher for the Astros, went the next two innings and allowed one hit while striking out four. Then, Eric Peterson (S, 4) retired the side in the ninth and struck out two to close the game and earn his third save in his last four appearances.
The Astros, currently two games behind the West division-leading Elizabethton Twins (27-20), will stay in Pulaski on Friday for game two of three against the Mariners, who trail the Danville Braves (26-19) by a half-game in the East. Game time is scheduled for 7:00pm.
For more information on the Greeneville Astros please visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
Appalachian League Stories from August 8, 2014
- Downpour postpones Astros-Mariners - Greeneville Astros
- Mariners' Game Postponed Due to Rain - Pulaski Mariners
- Pulaski Mariners Lose Series Opener 4-1 - Pulaski Mariners
- Bristol Pirates offer something for all ages - Bristol State Liners
- Nottingham, Roa carry Astros past Mariners, 4-1 - Greeneville Astros
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