Marquez Walk-Off Blast Leads Royals over Cardinals

BURLINGTON, NC - Jose Marquez two-run walk off home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning earned the Burlington Royals (6-21) a 6-5 win over the Johnson City Cardinals (10-15) Monday evening.
With the win, the Royals took the series from the Cardinals, two games to one. This was also Marquez second walk-off of the series, as he won the game after being hit by a pitch on Saturday night.
Johnson City took the early lead in the game, going ahead 2-0, but Freddy Fermin hit a solo home run for the Royals in the second to make it 2-1. The Cardinals added another run in the third to make the advantage two runs.
In the bottom of the fourth, Fermin came up with his second RBI of the game, bringing in Juan Carlos Negret with a groundout.
The Cardinals scored twice in the seventh to take a 5-2 lead, and held that advantage until the bottom of the ninth inning. In that frame, Fermin walked to lead off the inning, and Bhret Bewley followed with a double.
After consecutive groundouts, Jeison Guzman hit a two-run single to cut the Burlington deficit to one. Then, Marquez blasted a ball over the fence in right field to end the game and give the Royals the 6-5 win.
Burlington has the day off on Tuesday, and will begin a six-game road stretch Wednesday night at Bristol. The Royals will return home next Tuesday to host the Elizabethton Twins.
The Burlington Royals are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.
Single-game tickets are on sale now. Call 336-222-0223 or visit www.burlingtonroyals.com for more information.
WP - Kyle Hinton (1-1)
LP - Parker Kelly (1-1)
Highlights:
Jose Marquez - Walk-off home run
Jeison Guzman - 2 RBI
Freddy Fermin - HR, 2 RBI