The Greeneville Astros (18-14) continued their winning ways Wednesday night, taking down the Princeton Rays (15-19) by a final score of 6-4. Princeton's late rally wasn't enough as the Astros took home their second win in as many days and secured the series victory.Astros starter Leovanny Rodriguez threw four innings
The Greeneville Astros (18-14) continued their winning ways Wednesday night, taking down the Princeton Rays (15-19) by a final score of 6-4. Princeton's late rally wasn't enough as the Astros took home their second win in as many days and secured the series victory.
Astros starter Leovanny Rodriguez threw four innings and struck out two batters, lowering his ERA to 2.10 on the season. The Rays had runners in scoring position in both the first and second innings, but The Astros were able to limit the damage not allowing any runs to score. It wouldn't be until the fourth inning when the Rays opened the scoring on a two-run home run by Devin Davis. Moises Gomez reached base on an error to start the inning only to be followed up by Davis' blast over the left field wall.
It wouldn't be until the fifth inning when the Astros notched their first runs of the game, but they drove in three runs to take the lead. Shortstop Joan Mauricio singled to start the inning, advancing to second on a Reiny Beltre ground out. Next up to bat, Wilson Amador singled on a sharp grounder to third putting runners on the corners with one away. Second baseman Cody Bohanek then reached on a fielding error scoring Mauricio and setting up Gilberto Celestino for an RBI single. Designated hitter Colton Shaver brought home the last run of the inning on a sacrifice fly to center field bringing Celestino home from third.
Adding some insurance runs in the sixth, Greeneville plated two more runs as Patrick Mathis started the inning with a double on a liner to center field. Catcher Ruben Castro then hit a sacrifice bunt, but a fielding error by the Rays pitcher scored Mathis and advanced Castro to second. Mauricio and Beltre both grounded out, but Castro moved over to third on Beltre's out. With two outs Amador got his third hit of the game, an RBI single giving Greeneville a three run lead. Greeneville got its last run of the game in the bottom of the eighth as Mathis once again doubled to start the inning. Mathis moved over to third on a Castro ground out only to then score on a Mauricio ground out.
Princeton tried to even the score in the ninth, but came two runs short. With a walk and a hit batter to start the inning, third baseman Justin Bridgman singled to right scoring one and putting runners on first and third. A sacrifice fly brought another run across home plate but Astros pitcher Tim Hardy recorded a strike out and ground out to give Greeneville the 6-4 victory.
Greeneville now heads to the road for a six game stretch taking on the Bristol Pirates and the Burlington Royals. Bryan Abreu will be on the mound in Bristol with first pitch scheduled for 7:00pm. Greeneville will return home Thursday August third, taking on the Danville Braves at 7:00pm.
The Astros are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. For more information, visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.
