Six-Run Eighth Inning Lifts Astros
July 30, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Bluefield, WV - The Greeneville Astros (20 -17) overcame a three-run deficit with a six-run eighth inning to carry them past the Bluefield Blue Jays (17-18) on Saturday night. The Astros' 8-5 win was their fifth in six games against the Blue Jays as they maintain a half-game lead on the Johnson City Cardinals (19-17) for first place in the Appalachian League West Division.
Down 5-2 in the eighth inning, the Astros got Miguelangel Sierra on base with a walk but already had two outs when Abraham Toro singled and Troy Sieber walked to load the bases. After a Blue Jays pitching change, Carlos Machado drew another walk to bring in the first run of the inning. Then, Jonathan Arauz followed with a two-run single into centerfield to even the score before Bryan De La Cruz lifted a three-run homer over the left field wall to put the Astros on top, 8-5.
Right-hander Carlos Sanabria (1-2), who forced the Blue Jays to go three up, three down in each of the last three innings, sealed the win for the Astros with a strong finish. The 19-year-old allowed just one hit to the Blue Jays to lead off the sixth inning and retired the final 12 batters he faced.
Sanabria entered the game with one out in the bottom of the fifth and a runner on second following a Levi Scott two-run double. Already down 5-2, he managed to get the Astros out of the inning with no more damage on a fly out and strike out to end the threat. Sanabria went on to pitch four and two-thirds shutout innings with five strikeouts on the way to his first win of the season.
The Blue Jays had held the original lead in the contest on an Andrew Florides RBI single in the second inning. However, the Astros took a one-run lead after Ruben Castro and De La Cruz each connected on RBI singles in the third and fourth innings, respectively.
The Astros' original lead did not last long as the Blue Jays evened the score in the bottom of the fourth on a Ridge Smith RBI double and then moved ahead as Smith made it home safely on an Astros throwing error. Up 3-2 at the time, the Blue Jays never trailed again until the Astros' game-deciding offensive outburst in the eighth.
The Astros will begin a three-game series against at the Kingsport Mets (14-23) on Sunday at 4:00pm. Right-hander Diogenes Almengo (1-1) will take the mound for the Astros while Jake Simon (1-3) will get the start for Kingsport.
The Astros are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. For more information, please visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
Appalachian League Stories from July 30, 2016
- Six-Run Eighth Inning Lifts Astros - Greeneville Astros
- Humphreys Pitches Well But Cards Take 4-1 Decision - Kingsport Axmen
- Astros, Blue Jays Split Two - Greeneville Astros
- Strong Pitching Enables Split with JC in Double Header - Kingsport Axmen
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