With 3-2 win over Blue Jays, Astros closing in on playoff berth
August 27, 2013 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville, TN "" The Greeneville Astros (37-27) defeated the Bluefield Blue Jays (40-23) in dramatic walk-off fashion for the second consecutive night on Monday at Pioneer Park. With the game tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Thomas Lindauer scored the game-winning run from second base when the Blue Jays made an errant throw to first while attempting to turn a double play on a Brian Holberton ground ball.
Prior to the excitement in the ninth inning, the Astros had taken a 2-0 lead midway through the game. In the third inning, with the bases loaded and no outs, Thomas Lindauer scored the Astros' first run when Brian Holberton grounded into a double play. Then, in the fourth inning, Lindauer hit a ground ball single to shortstop that resulted in a fielding error, allowing Juan Santana to score from second.
Later, in the top of the sixth inning, the Blue Jays answered with a two-run inning to tie the game at 2-2. After Tim Locastro got on base with a walk, he stole second and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt. Then, Matt Dean connected on a RBI single and proceeded to steal two bases to make his way over to third. Finally, Jonathan Davis beat the throw to first on a ground ball RBI single that evened the score.
With the score still tied at 2-2 going into the bottom of the ninth, the Astros got a leadoff single from Thomas Lindauer to get the potential winning run on base. Then, a sacrifice bunt by Tanner Mathis moved the runner into scoring position at second. That opened up first base for the Blue Jays to intentionally walk Brett Phillips to set up a double play opportunity. With Brian Holberton batting, he hit a ground ball t hat possibly could have been turned into a double play to end the inning. However, after getting Phillips out at second, the Blue Jays' errant throw from the shortstop sailed past first base and allowed Lindauer to head around for the game-winning run.
Reliever Austin Chrismon (3-1) picked up the win for the Astros. He pitched 3.1 scoreless innings, gave up four hits and had one strikeout. Chrismon followed starting pitcher Frederick Tiburcio after he went 5.2 innings and gave up two runs on five hits with six strikeouts.
With a 3-2 win, the Astros are now 16-7 in one-run games. Furthermore, it was the Astros' 21st win at Pioneer Park this season, setting a new club record for home wins.
The Astros also surpassed last season's win total of 36 and maintained their half-game lead over the Kingsport Mets (36-27) in the Appalachian League West Division with four games left to play. However, the Johnson City Cardinals (34-29) and Elizabethton Twins (34-30) are still in the hunt.
The Astros will be looking for a series sweep of the Blue Jays on Tuesday night and the possibility of clinching a playoff spot with a little help. The Astros can clinch one of the two playoff spots in the West with a win on Tuesday and a loss by both Johnson City and Elizabethton. However, the Astros can also clinch by simply winning two more games regardless of how the other teams fare.
Tuesday's game time is scheduled for 7:00pm. The Astros will have right-handed pitcher Francis Ramirez on the mound while the Blue Jays' starting pitcher is slated to be right-hander Brady Dragmire.
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Appalachian League Stories from August 27, 2013
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- Cardinals Two-Hit Braves to Finish Sweep - Danville Otterbots
- With 3-2 win over Blue Jays, Astros closing in on playoff berth - Greeneville Astros
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