Moon's homers lead Burlington in thumping of Johnson City
Logan Moon hit two home runs for the Burlington Royals as they cruised to a 10-1 win over the Johnson City Cardinals on Sunday evening. Moon hit a solo home run in the fifth inning and a two-run shot in the seventh. The blasts were the first two of the season for Moon.
"It's nice when you win 10-1," Royals manager Tommy Shields said after the game. "Logan is strong. He's never going to hit high, far ones, but he's going to hit bullets and every now and then, he's going to hit some out like he did tonight."
Burlington (11-13) also got a home run from DH Chase Vallot en route to victory. The Royals opened the scoring in the first inning, when Moon led off with a single and went to second on an infield hit by SS Marten Gasparini. When LF Brandon Dulin hit a fly ball to right, Moon tagged and went to third, scoring on a throwing error as the ball made its way back to the infield.
Burlington loaded the bases with one out in the second but could not score. Johnson City (11-12) tied the game in the fourth when 1B Casey Grayson led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by LF Cole Lankford.
Corey Ray started for Burlington and went the first four innings, allowing the run on four hits, a walk and two strikeouts.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Royals took the lead for good on Moon's first long ball, which was immediately followed by a Gasparini triple. He scored when Vallot homered to left, and the Royals led 4-1.
An inning later, the Royals scored four runs on only one hit- a bunt single by 2B Jose Martinez. Three walks and two errors aided the Royals' efforts, and Dulin hit a sacrifice popout in foul territory that allowed Martinez to score. LHP Dylan Sons worked two and 1/3 innings for the Royals, earning the win with three strikeouts. He allowed no runs on three walks and two hits.
Already leading 8-1, Moon stepped to the plate in the seventh following a walk to C Luis Lara. He hit a looping fly ball which cleared the left field fence and gave Burlington the 10-1 lead they would hold.
Andres Machado threw the last two and 2/3 innings for the Royals, striking out three and allowing a single hit and a walk.
Moon's 3-for-5 night led the Royals. He upped his RBI total from three to six with the effort. Vallot takes over the team lead with five home runs and pushed his RBI total to 17, also a team high. Lara and 3B Ryan Dale had two hits apiece in the game.
The Royals and Cardinals close their series on Monday at 7:00 p.m. at Burlington Athletic Stadium. LHP Carlos Herrera (0-1, 9.90) starts for the Royals. It will be Dollar Monday, with general admission tickets, hot dogs, small sodas and candy being sold for only $1 each.
Burlington 10, Johnson City 1
WP: Sons (1-0)
LP: DeLorenzo (0-2)
HR: Moon 2 (2); Vallot (5)