ApL Bristol State Liners

Shackelford Leads Pirates to Big Victory over Greeneville

Published on July 31, 2019 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Bristol State Liners News Release


A career night from third baseman Aaron Shackelford led the way for the Bristol Pirates in a 13-3 blowout victory over the Greeneville Reds.

After the Reds took the lead in the first inning on a sacrifice fly, it remained a 1-0 game until the bottom of the fifth inning when Shackelford launched a 2-2 pitch over the fence for a go-ahead two-run home run. The Pirates would make it a 5-1 game before the inning ended as catcher Eli Wilson hit an RBI single and center fielder Chase Murray connected for a two-run single to right.

Two more runs came across for Greeneville in the top of the sixth on a home run and a double, but the Pirates responded with eight runs in the bottom half of the inning. Right fielder Fernando Villegas hit the second pitch of the inning over the left field fence for his first career home run to make it a 6-3 game.

Wilson and Murray added to the lead with another RBI each, before second baseman Josh Bissonette hit a two-run double to increase Bristol's lead to seven. Bissonette would then score on an error before Shackelford would cap off the scoring with his second double of the inning to drive in two runs. Yoelvis Reyes and Saul De La Cruz combined to allow only two walks over the final four innings to close out the game and even up the series with Greeneville.

Adrian Florencio earned the win in his third start against the Reds, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five over five innings. Reyes allowed two walks with one strikeout over two innings, while De La Cruz threw two perfect innings of relief while striking out two in his home debut.

Shackelford finished 3-for-5 in the win, tying his career-highs with three hits and two runs while setting new career marks with two doubles and four RBI. His go-ahead home run was his team-leading fifth of the year as he became the first Pirate to reach 20 RBI this season.

Villegas, Wilson, Murray and designated hitter Jesus Valdez each recorded two hits in the win, with Wilson recording two RBI while Murray finished second on the team with three RBI. Shortstop Francisco Acuna went 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored, as he extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

The Pirates (19-21) moved to three games behind Johnson City and 1 1/2 games behind Elizabethton in the Appalachian League West Division after the Cardinals and the Twins both lost on Wednesday. The Pirates will try for their second series win of the year over Greeneville in the finale on Thursday night. Santiago Florez will start for Bristol as he tries for his first win of the year. It will be Florez's third time against the Reds, as he has allowed three runs -- two earned -- with eight strikeouts in 10 innings against Greeneville.

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Appalachian League Stories from July 31, 2019


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