ApL Kingsport Axmen

Royals Edge K-Mets 4-3

July 17, 2014 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Kingsport Axmen News Release


KINGSPORT, Tenn. (July 16, 2014) - Wuilmer Becerra enjoyed a huge night at the plate, going 5-for-5, but it wasn't enough to lift the Kingsport Mets as they dropped a 4-3 decision to the Burlington Royals on Wednesday night in front of a big crowd of 1,540 at Hunter Wright Stadium.

Kingsport (10-15), which was opening an eight-night homestand, now has dropped five of its past six ballgames. The Royals led from wire to wire, scoring two runs in the first inning before the K-Mets ever came to bat and adding a pair of insurance runs in the sixth.

That was enough against the K-Mets, who outhit the Royals 11-10 but stranded 13 runners and hit 2-for-18 with men in scoring position.

Burlington was just 1-for-10 in similar situations but only abandoned seven runners. Amalani Fukofuka and Chase Vallot had two hits each for the Royals, and Logan Moon drove in a pair of runs on his double in the first inning.

Chase Darhower was strong in long relief for Burlington. He inherited a jam with two men and no one out in the fifth, but allowed just one run to score as Kingsport broke open the shutout. Darhower (2-1) went on to fire four innings of three-hit ball, issuing a pair of walks.

Becerra was the highlight for Kingsport, hitting a double, scoring a run and driving one in on his laser single up the middle in the ninth as the K-Mets tried to rally. Becerra's hit also had him representing the go-ahead run at first base, but Royals reliever Evan Beal escaped the predicament to post his second save.

K-METRICS: Kingsport's defense secured three outs on the basepaths, with two Burlington runners getting picked off and another caught stealing. The K-Mets almost made it four outs; Fukofuka stole second base in the sixth inning on a very close play.

NOTES: Carter Hope started for Burlington while Gaby Almonte (0-3) started for Kingsport. Almonte lasted 5 1-3 innings, allowing the Royals' first three runs on eight hits and four strikeouts. ... J.C. Rodriguez had two hits out of the No. 2 spot in the lineup for the K-Mets. ... Jimmy Duff and Ismael Tijerina also pitched for Kingsport. Tijerina was impressive again, working scoreless frames in the eighth and ninth. ... The series between these two teams resumes Thursday. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

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