M's can't complete rally, lose 3-2 to Mets

The Pulaski Mariners dropped game two of a three game series at Calfee Park, losing a nail-biter to the Kingsport Mets, 3-2.

A pitcher's duel was on tap, and both starters didn't disappoint.

Edwin Diaz entered with a 5-1 record and a league-best 1.41 ERA. His counterpart, Chris Flexen, entered at 7-1 with a 2.14 ERA.

They both looked like aces of their respective staffs in front of 662 fans Monday night.

Kingsport plated single runs off of Diaz in the second and third innings. In the second, Kingsport leftfielder Joe Tuschak led off with a single and advanced to second on a Diaz wild pitch. He moved to third on a groundout and with two outs, scored on a Luke Guarnaccia passed ball. The Mets played small ball in the third to grab a 2-0 lead. Adrian Abreu led off with a double, went to third on Yeixon Ruiz' sacrifice bunt, and scored on Jeff McNeil's sacrifice fly.

Diaz was finished after five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk. He hit one batter and struck out three.

The Mets added to their lead with one run in the sixth off of M's reliever Luis Pina. The southpaw retired the first two batters, but allowed a two-out single to Jeyckol De Leon. The Kingsport first baseman then swiped second and went to third as Guarnaccia's throw carried into centerfield. Tuschak then blooped a RBI single into shallow center.

Pulaski finally got to Flexen with one run of in the bottom half of the sixth. Dan Kemp singled and stole second. Guarnaccia then reached on a fielder's choice as Kemp beat the throw to third base. Aaron Barbosa followed with a RBI single and the M's appeared to be in business. However, Flexen got Gabe Franca, Tyler Smith, and Jeff Zimmerman out to end the threat.

The Mariners didn't have another scoring opportunity until the ninth, and they were less than one foot away from walking off for the fourth time at Calfee this season.

Franca drew a leadoff walk and Smith lofted a single to center. One out later, Jesus Ugueto smoked a single to load the bases, and recently named Appy League Hitter of the Week Isaiah Yates was due up. Kingsport closer Ricardo Jacquez got Yates to chase a 2-2 fastball out of the zone for the second out, bringing up Wilton Martinez. Down in the count 1-2, Martinez poked a fly ball deep into the right field corner, but the ball landed foul. After battling back to a full-count, Jacquez struck out Martinez with a nasty curve to end the game.

Kingsport starter Chris Flexen moved to 8-1 with six innings of one-run ball. He allowed five hits and struck out six. Diaz suffered his second loss of the season, dropping to 5-2.

Seven Mariners had one hit apiece in the game and drew just one walk coming off of Sunday's 15-0 win where they collected 13 hits and 11 walks.

Pulaski (40-24) remains a ½ game back for first place in the Appy East behind Bluefield (40-23) who was defeated 3-2 by the Appy West division leading Greeneville Astros.

The series finale and final regular season matchup between Pulaski and Kingsport is set for tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. ET. Pulaski will send right-hander Ramire Cleto (4-3, 3.31) to the mound against a Kingsport left-hander, Yoan Gonzalez (3-4, 2.68).

 

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