A career-night for starter Adrian Florencio was not enough on Thursday night, as the Bristol Pirates fell 4-2 in the second game of the series with Johnson City.The loss marked the first time the Pirates lost a series since losing two of three at home against Greeneville in June in
A career-night for starter Adrian Florencio was not enough on Thursday night, as the Bristol Pirates fell 4-2 in the second game of the series with Johnson City.
The loss marked the first time the Pirates lost a series since losing two of three at home against Greeneville in June in their second series of the year.
The Pirates took an early 1-0 lead in the first when right fielder Jake Wright hit a two-out single to right to drive in second baseman Josh Bissonette. Johnson City tied the game in the top of the second, before taking a 2-1 lead in the third inning. A double by shortstop Francisco Acuna in the fifth inning would tie the game as Wright came around to score, but the Cardinals immediately regained the lead on a leadoff home run in the top of the sixth by third baseman Chandler Redmond. The Cardinals would add another run in the top of the eighth to give the Pirates their third loss in a row.
Florencio threw 4 1/3 innings against the Cardinals, allowing two runs - one earned - on five hits and two walks while striking out a career-high six batters. Florencio also recorded his first career pickoff in the game, nabbing Cardinals second baseman Liam Sabino at first in the second inning. C.J. Dandeneau earned his first loss with Bristol after allowing one run on one hit with two strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings.
The Pirates were led on offense by Acuna, who went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Acuna now has 12 RBI on the year, and he leads all current Pirates in the category. Third baseman Matt Morrow finished 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, while center fielder Chase Murray was 1-for-4 with a stolen base. The steal was Murray's third of the season, as he is now tied with Acuna, Bissonette, and outfielders Jean Eusebio and Daniel Rivero for the team lead.
The Pirates (11-11) will try to snap their three-game skid on Friday night in the finale with Johnson City. Santiago Florez will start for Bristol, who struck out a season-high five batters over five innings in his last start against Greeneville.
