Cardinals Avoid Sweep with Finale Win

  The Cardinals fell to the Mets the middle game of tbe three-game series 12-2 and looked to avoid being swept during their first homestand of the season. In a tightly fought contest, the Cardinals came out on top 12-9. 
  The Cardinals sent right-hander Oneiver Diaz to the mound, who was looking for his first win this season. He opened the season for the Cardinals, but took a no decision in that game. The scoring opened in the top of the third when Kingsport put two runs on the board to take a 2-0 lead. Johnson City would get one back in the bottom of the third to make it a 2-1 game. 
  The Cardinals shut down the Mets in the top of the third and then put three runs up during the bottom of the third to take a 4-2 lead, which was also the first lead of the series for the Cardinals. 
  In the fourth inning, the Cardinals were relentless. Three runs were put on the board to increase the lead, 7-2. However, the fight in the Mets did not go away. In the top of the fifth, the Mets put five runs on the board and batted around the entire lineup. One run in the top of the sixth for the Mets made the lead 8-2. 
  The Cardinals didn't quit and never gave up. They fought to the end and earned this victory. Johnson City scored five combined runs in the eighth and ninth innings. The final score was 12 runs on eight hits, with no errors. For the Kingsport Mets finished with nine runs on 13 hits and one error. 
  The top hitter for the Cardinals in today's game was Brian Sanchez who went 1-1 with a walk, two sac flies, one homerun and five RBIs. 
  On the flip side, the pitching staff did well today. Johnson City used three pitchers, Oneiver Diaz started the game and went 5.0 innings, giving up nine hits, seven earned runs, four walks, five strikeouts and two homeruns allowed. Tommy Parsons was first out of the bullpen and got the win. He went two innings, gave up two hits, one earned run, with one walk and a strikeout. Kyle Leahy then came in for the six out save. Leahy went two innings, gave up two hits, one earned run, with one walk and two strikeouts and got his second save of the season.
  Johnson City moves to 2-4 on the season, but are still in last place in the Appalachian League West, three games behind first place Kingsport and Elizabethton. 
  The Cardinals begin a seven-game road trip, starting tomorrow at Elizabethton. They will also play at Elizabethton on Tuesday. They are off on Wednesday and then on Wednesday they go to Kingsport for a three game road series. The Cardinals return home on Monday July 2nd for the season's first Dollar Monday! For more information on all things Johnson City Cardinals, go to jccardinals.com.