Three Pitchers Combine for 5-0 Astros Win
Published on July 15, 2015 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Myles Straw of the Greeneville Astros
(Greeneville Astros)
Johnson City, TN - The Greeneville Astros (12-9) opened their three-game road series with the Johnson City Cardinals (9-10) with an auspicious 5-0 shutout victory on Wednesday night.
Three Astros pitchers combined to hold off the Cardinals as the Greeneville offense flourished early in the matchup.
Nineteen-year-old Dominican prospect Junior Garcia started on the mound for the Astros earning his second victory on the year as he opposed Ronnie Williams of the Cardinals. The left-hander tossed five full innings, allowed just three hits and struck out two in route to lowering his ERA to 0.44.
Garcia was followed on the mound by right-handed relievers Devonte German and Ryan Deemes. Both pitchers shut down Johnson City's bats as German allowed one hit and struck out two in one inning pitched and Deemes earned the save tossing the last three frames with one hit allowed and one strikeout. Deemes lowered his ERA to a diminutive 0.60 over five appearances on the season.
Despite gaining just one more hit than Johnson City's five, the Astros offense coasted through the majority of the matchup for the 5-0, shutout victory. Greeneville was on the board early as they scored twice in both the first and second innings.
Outfielder Myles Straw stretched his on-base streak to eight games dating back to July 6. Straw led off the first reaching base on a fielding error by Cardinals second baseman Eliezer Alvarez. Astros shortstop Osvaldo Duarte followed by reaching on an error by Johnson City shortstop Edmundo Sosa. The Astros filled the bases when Connor Goedert was hit by a pitch and sent to first.
The Cardinals proceeded to walk Straw in for the first run after issuing a free base to outfielder Brauly Mejia. Duarte came in to score on a groundout by Justin Garcia to give the Astros the 2-0 advantage after the first inning.
In the Astros' second, Ford Stainback led off with a single then was brought around by a one-out Duarte homer to left. It was the shortstops' second base-rounder on the year and only added to his status as the second top scorer in the Appalachian league with 17 runs. He is second only to Straw, who has crossed the plate 19 times this season as the league leader.
Greeneville mustered three more hits between the second and ninth innings, all on singles. In the top of the ninth, the Astros tacked on their fifth and final run of the night scored by Straw. Leading off the inning, Straw knocked a single passed Alvarez at second base then stole his third base on the year with Duarte at the plate.
Duarte grounded out to send Straw to third then Goedert grounded out to Sosa at short to score the Astros outfielder.
Straw concluded the night having gone two-for-five with two runs scored and was followed by Duarte, who went one-for-four with two runs scored and a pair of RBI. Mejia went one-for-four with his seventh RBI and Stainback was also one-for-four with his second run scored. Greeneville third baseman Randy Cesar was one-for-two and drew a pair of walks.
The Astros can take their second series win over Johnson City and stretch their winning streak to four games with a victory over Cardinals tomorrow night. First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM at Howard Johnson Field.
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
 Ryan Deemes of the Greeneville Astros |
 Osvaldo Duarte of the Greeneville Astros |
 Junior Garcia of the Greeneville Astros |
 Devonte German of the Greeneville Astros |
 Myles Straw of the Greeneville Astros |
Appalachian League Stories from July 15, 2015
- Rays Win 8-3 - Princeton WhistlePigs
- Three Pitchers Combine for 5-0 Astros Win - Greeneville Astros
- Danville Drops Series Opener to Elizabethton - Danville Otterbots
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