ApL Bristol State Liners

Shutout Pitching Lifts Pirates over Elizabethton

Published on July 27, 2019 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Bristol State Liners News Release


For the second time this season, the Bristol Pirates earned the series win against the Elizabethton Twins with a 1-0 victory on Saturday night.

Saturday marked the first time since 2016 that the Pirates won four games in a season against the Twins. It was also the first time in more than a decade Bristol won two series in a season against Elizabethton.

The lone run of the night came in the sixth inning, when shortstop Francisco Acuna hit his team-leading 12th double of the year to drive in third baseman Aaron Shackelford. Relievers Lizardy Dicent and Ryan Troutman combined to allow only two base runners over the final three innings as the Pirates won their third straight game.

Making his first appearance with Bristol since ending the 2018 season with the Pirates, Dicent threw two perfect innings of relief while striking out two to earn his first win of the year. Troutman allowed one hit with one strikeout over two innings to earn his second save of the year.

Starter Tahnaj Thomas threw a season-high five shutout innings against the Twins, allowing just three hits while striking out seven. It was the fifth consecutive start for Thomas with at least five strikeouts, and it was the third time in his last four outings he recorded seven or more strikeouts. Thomas now leads the team with 33 strikeouts, and is tied for 10th-most in the Appalachian League.

Eight of the Pirates' nine starters reached base in the victory, with second baseman Josh Bissonette the only one to reach twice as he finished 2-for-4 with his first career triple. Acuna's double was his only hit of the night, and with 12 doubles on the year he is now tied for second-most in the Appalachian League.

The Pirates (18-19) will look to reach a .500 record and earn their first sweep of Elizabethton in over a decade in the series finale on Sunday night. Bristol is now two games behind Johnson City and Elizabethton for first place in the Appalachian League West Division, and after Saturday's victory they now have a 14-8 record against division opponents -- the best mark in the Appalachian League.

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Appalachian League Stories from July 27, 2019


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