E-TWINS CRUSH FOUR HOME RUNS BUT CAN'T CATCH UP TO K-METS IN 7-5 LOSS

Kingsport, TN - While the Elizabethton Twins connected for four home runs - one from Parker Phillips, two from Will Holland and one off the bat from Kidany Salva, the Kingsport Mets outpaced Elizabethton Monday night, as the E-Twins fell 7-5.
Elizabethton started the scoring in the third inning, taking a 1-0 lead when Willie Joe Garry Jr. grounded into a fielder's choice that scored Charles Mack from third base.
The rest of the Twin offense consistent of solo home runs. Phillips hit his second homer of the season in the fourth, a 436-foot shot to straightaway center. Holland hit his fourth of the season in the sixth, then his second of the day and fifth of the season to lead off the ninth. Salva followed Holland with his second of the year, but the E-Twins fell short in the ninth.
Ben Gross started strong, retiring the first nine K-Mets in order. He hit a speed bump in the fourth, surrendering the lead and allowing three runs to score on four hits and a sacrifice fly, including a home run.
Gross finished his start on a strong note though, striking out three in the fifth after giving up a leadoff single, for an eight-strikeout, no walk day.
Just as quickly as Holland tied the game in the sixth though, Kingsport took the lead back. Denny Bentley surrendered two runs on three straight hits to begin the inning.
While Bentley ended his outing by setting down six in a row, the Twins couldn't come back as Osiris German surrendered two critical runs in the eighth that proved to be the difference in Kingsport's 7-5 win.
The E-Twins look to regroup Tuesday, with the second game of the three-game series in Kingsport scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start.
For tickets and more information, visit elizabethtontwins.com.