Astros offense stalls late in 7-3 loss

The Greeneville Astros (30-28) dropped the series Tuesday night against the Bristol Pirates (13-44) following a 7-3 loss. The Astros surrendered four late inning runs which proved to be the difference.  
With a scoreless first inning in the books, Bristol got on the scoreboard first with two runs in the top of the second inning. A walk and a double started the inning before starter Chad Donato recorded consecutive strikeouts for two quick outs. Shortstop Melvin Jimenez then notched his second hit of the game with a two RBI triple off the right center field wall before a strikeout ended the inning.
Greeneville quickly started to chip away in the bottom of the second with a Brody Westmoreland home run on a fly ball over the left field wall. Westmoreland's home run was his eighth of the season and second in as many nights.
The Astros pulled ahead with their first lead of the game in the bottom of the third inning after scoring two more runs. With two outs to start the inning, Frankeny Fernandez was hit by a pitch before stealing second base for his fourth snag on the year. The next batter, Gilberto Celestino, singled on a grounder to right field that slipped passed the outfielder as Celestino raced around the bases giving the Astros a 3-2 lead.
The Pirates returned the favor by bringing a run across the plate in the top of the fourth tying the game for the second time. Left fielder Ryan Peurifoy reached base after getting plunked at the plate and advanced to third on a throwing error to second base on a stolen base attempt. Jimenez kept swinging a hot bat with an RBI single tying the game at three runs each.
Bristol started to run away with the game in the top of the seventh after breaking the tie with a three-run inning. After starting the inning with a single and a hit batter, Ben Bengtson tripled on a fly ball to left field scoring both runners and was brought home on a sacrifice fly by Johan De Jesus making it a 6-3 game. Bristol added an insurance run in the eighth via an RBI single courtesy of Bengtson leading to the final score of 7-3.
Greeneville now heads on the road for a crucial three game road series against the Johnson City Cardinals to battle for second place in the west division of the Appalachian League. Right handers Jairo Solis (0-1) and Alvaro Seijas (4-1) will square off with first pitch set for 7:00pm. Greeneville returns home for its last home series of the regular season on Saturday August 26^th as they host the Elizabethton Twins starting at 6:00pm.
The Astros are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. For more information, visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.