Top prospects Correa, Ruiz help Astros edge Rays in first game
August 12, 2012 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Princeton, WV - Carlos Correa, the top overall selection in the 2012 draft by the Houston Astros, and Rio Ruiz, the Astros' fourth round draft pick, both joined the Greeneville Astros on Saturday and made memorable Appalachian League debuts as they helped Greeneville to a 6-5 win over the Princeton Rays at Hunnicutt Field. The win helps keep the Astros, now 28-24, within striking distance for a playoff spot in the Appalachian League West.
The game went scoreless through the first two innings before both teams got on the scoreboard in the third inning. In the top of the inning, Greeneville's Jose Monzon scored on a sacrifice fly from Brian Blasik. However, following a James Harris triple to begin the bottom half of the inning, the Rays got a RBI-single from Brandon Martin to even the game. Then, with the bases loaded a few batters later, Omar Narvaez drew a walk to score another run and put Princeton up 2-1.
Greeneville's Jean Batista led off the next inning with his league-leading 19th double of the season and with one more will tie the Astros single-season record for doubles. Previously, Ronald Ramirez (2006) and Jose Altuve (2009) each had 20 doubles during their team MVP seasons. Batista's double, however, did not lead to any runs this time as he was left stranded.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, after a Greeneville fielding error and a walk, Princeton extended their lead on a two-run double from Narvaez. Now down 4-1, the Astros were about to insert their newest additions into the game.
Greeneville substituted Correa in at shortstop during the sixth inning and then brought Ruiz in as the designated hitter in the seventh. Both made an immediate impact.
Ruiz, in his first at-bat, following an Ariel Ovando base hit, singled and moved to second on a throwing error allowing Ovando came around for a run. The next batter, Ricky Gingras then hit a two-run homer, as he did the night before against Princeton, to tie the game. However, the Astros were not done. Correa made it four straight hits to start the inning for Greeneville when he connected on a single to center field. After moving to second on a Monzon sacrifice bunt, Correa then stole third and scored on an Angel Ibanez sacrifice fly to give the Astros a 5-4 lead.
After the four-run inning in the seventh, Terrell Joyce singled to begin the eighth. Batista followed that with a single of his own and then moved to second on a throwing error from Princeton while Joyce scored to put the Astros up 6-4.
Trailing by two runs and down to their final three outs, Princeton's Martin led off the bottom of the ninth with a single. After a wild pitch and a Reid Redman single, Martin moved to third base with no outs. At that point, the Astros made a pitching change to bring in Euris Quezada and he forced Andrew Toles to ground into a double play. Although Martin scored on the play for Princeton, the Astros simply needed one more out to preserve the win and they got it on a ground out back to the pitcher.
With his performance in the ninth inning, Quezada picked up his second save of the season. Meanwhile, Zachary Dando was credited with the win after giving up one hit and two runs, one of which was earned, to go along with five strikeouts during the fifth and sixth innings.
The Astros will go for a series sweep at Princeton in game three on Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm. For more information on the Greeneville Astros, please visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
Appalachian League Stories from August 12, 2012
- Sox Comeback Falls Short - Bristol White Sox
- Rays avoid sweep by Astros in pitcher's duel - Greeneville Astros
- Top prospects Correa, Ruiz help Astros edge Rays in first game - Greeneville Astros
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