For the second night in a row, the Bristol Pirates came up a run short in a 7-6 loss to the Johnson City Cardinals in the series opener on Wednesday.After a scoreless first inning, the Pirates drove in the first run of the night in the second inning on an
For the second night in a row, the Bristol Pirates came up a run short in a 7-6 loss to the Johnson City Cardinals in the series opener on Wednesday.
After a scoreless first inning, the Pirates drove in the first run of the night in the second inning on an RBI single by catcher Marshall Gilbert. Gilbert would then score on a double by second baseman Jesus Valdez, and a single by designated hitter Jake Wright extended the Pirates' lead to 3-0. The Cardinals took the lead an inning later, as they capped off a five-run outburst with a three-run home run from third baseman Chandler Redmond.
The Pirates gained a run back on an RBI single from left fielder Fernando Villegas in the top of the fourth, before third baseman Matt Morrow hit a two-out, two-run single to left to put Bristol back on top 6-5. Again, the lead would be short-lived as Johnson City tied the game on a wild pitch in the fifth inning before getting the go-ahead run on a double in the sixth inning. First baseman Ernny Ordonez led off the top of the ninth inning with a single to right, but after a call of runner's interference against Ordonez left the bases empty with two outs, pinch hitter Samuel Inoa flew out to deep right field to end the game.
Villegas led the Pirates at the plate with a season-best 3-for-4 performance with a walk, one RBI and a run scored. Valdez and right fielder Joseivin Medina each went 2-for-5 with a run scored in the loss, with Valdez also recording a double and one RBI.
Starter Adrian Florencio allowed six runs on eight hits and one walk with four strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings. Samson Abernathy earned his first career loss after allowing one run on one hit over 1 1/3 innings, while Ryan Troutman allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out two over two scoreless innings to close out the game.
The Pirates (12-16) will try to end their five-game losing streak and even up the series on Thursday night in Game 2 against Johnson City. Santiago Florez will get the start for Bristol after throwing 4 1/3 scoreless innings in his last start against the Cardinals while tying his season-high with five strikeouts.
