ApL Bristol State Liners

Pirates Leave Road with a Win

Published on July 20, 2019 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Bristol State Liners News Release


After starting their road trip with a five-game losing streak, the Bristol Pirates ended the trip on a high note as they defeated the Johnson City Cardinals 7-4 in the series finale.

Designated hitter Jake Wright put the Pirates on the board early with a two-out, two-run single to center in the first inning. The lead quickly disappeared for Bristol, as the Cardinals responded with a pair of solo home runs in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game at 2-2. It would remain a 2-2 game until the fourth inning, when starter Tahnaj Thomas was ejected after hitting Cardinals first baseman Chandler Redmond to lead off the inning. The Cardinals capitalized on the base runner, as Redmond came around to score the go-ahead run on a two-out single to right. Left fielder Chase Murray responded with a two-out hit of his own in the next inning, as he doubled for his first career extra-base hit and drove in first baseman Marshall Gilbert to tie the game at 3-3.

The game would remain tied until the ninth inning when Murray singled to left to drive in shortstop Francisco Acuna, and a throwing error by Johnson City allowed Gilbert to come home and make it a two-run lead for Bristol. Third baseman Matt Morrow and right fielder Fernando Villegas each added an RBI in the inning to increase the Pirates lead to 7-3. The Cardinals got back a run in the bottom of the ninth, but Matt Eardensohn induced a fly out to center and a ground out to first to end the game and secure his first career win.

Making his professional debut, Eardensohn earned the win after allowing one run on two hits and a walk over three innings with four strikeouts. Despite the early exit, Thomas recorded his fourth consecutive start with at least five strikeouts as he finished with five over three innings of work. Thomas has 25 strikeouts over his last 17 2/3 innings and leads the Pirates rotation with a 12.1 K/9 rate. C.J. Dandeneau pitched three innings of relief, striking out four while allowing two hits and one walk.

Eight of the nine starters finished with a hit in the win, while five players finished with a single and a double. Murray and Wright led the team with two RBI each, while Morrow and Gilbert both finished with two runs scored. Acuna ended the night 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, as he became the first player in the Appalachian League to reach 10 doubles for the season.

The Pirates (14-16) moved into a tie for third place in the Appalachian League West Division with the win, and they now sit three games behind division leader Elizabethton. Luis Ortiz will get the start in the Pirates' return to Bristol, as they begin a three-game series against the Kingsport Mets on Saturday night.

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Appalachian League Stories from July 20, 2019


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