Pirates rally to defeat Astros, 8-7
June 29, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville Astros Pitcher Carlos Sanabria
(Greeneville Astros, Credit: Hunter Reed)
Bristol, VA - The Greeneville Astros built an early 6-0 lead on the Bristol Pirates, but a six-run seventh inning by Bristol evened the score. In the eighth, the Astros regained the lead only to lose it again in the bottom of the inning and eventually be defeated by the Pirates, 8-7, to complete a series sweep.
Frankeny Fernandez got the scoring started for the Astros in the first inning. He reached base on a single, stole second, and eventually scored as Bryan De La Cruz reached first on a fielding error.
In the second inning, after two quick outs, the Astros were able to string together three consecutive extra-base hits to give them a 6-0 lead. With runners at first and second, Miguelangel Sierra connected on a RBI double. Then Fernandez followed with a two-run double of his own. Finally, Spencer Johnson stepped up and delivered a high and deep two -run homer to right field.
Johnson's home run meant the Astros have hit at least one in all six games this season. Furthermore, the Astros have a total of nine homers on the year and Johnson became the ninth different Astros player to accomplish the feat in 2016. On the Astros 2015 championship team, just 11 different players homered for the team the entire year.
It was all looking good for the Astros early as starting pitcher Carlos Sanabria was cruising. Through five shutout innings, the right-hander allowed just one hit and had six strikeouts.
Astros left-hander Carlos Hiraldo kept the game going in the right direction for the Astros in the sixth inning, but the tide turned in the seventh.
The Pirates scored their first run on a bases-loaded walk. Then, they scored four of their remaining five runs in the inning off wild pitches. The other came on a ground out. When all was said and done in the seventh, the score was all even at 6-6.
The Astros got their leadoff man on base to start the eighth when Johnson was hit by pitch. It proved to be a costly mistake for the Pirates. After two wild pitches, Johnson was at third with one out when Luis Payano managed to knock a ball into centerfield to bring in the go-ahead score.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Pirates quickly found themselves with two outs. However, after two consecutive singles they were back in business. Then, a ball hit by Michael De La Cruz deep into the outfield was dropped which allowed both runners to score and prove to be the difference in the game as the Pirates went on to claim an 8-7 victory.
Pirates reliever Geoff Hartlieb picked up the win for Bristol after pitching the final one and one-third innings, allowing no hits, and striking out two.
The Astros head to Princeton on Wednesday to begin a new three-game series against the Rays. It will be the first trip back to Princeton for the Astros since claiming the Appalachian League title there last September. Left-hander Patrick Sandoval will be on the mound for the Astros, making his second start of the season.
The Astros are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. For more information, visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
Images from this story
 Greeneville Astros Pitcher Carlos Sanabria (Hunter Reed) |
Appalachian League Stories from June 29, 2016
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- Late Rally Comes up Short as Braves Drop Home Opener - Danville Otterbots
- Pair of Homers Highlights Yankees Win - Pulaski River Turtles
- Pirates rally to defeat Astros, 8-7 - Greeneville Astros
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