Cardinals Hang On to Win 7-6, Even the Series Against Burlington

BURLINGTON, NC - The Johnson City Cardinals were looking to even the series against Burlington after dropping game one. The Cardinals took a 7-6 lead into the bottom of the ninth and got a game ending double play to win and even the series at one game apiece.
Tommy Parsons got the start for the Cardinals. Parsons did not factor into the decision but he went five innings, giving up eight hits, with two strikeouts.
The Royals got the scoring started with two in the bottom of the second off a two-run homerun. The Cardinals were shut out until the fourth inning.
In the top of the fourth, Dariel Gomez singled with one out. After Moises Castillo flied out, Zach Jackson struck out, but advanced to first on the wild pitch and Dariel Gomez scored from second on the play. Sanel Rosendo was then hit by a pitch and Zach Jackson moved up to second. With two on and two out, Benito Santiago hit a three run homerun, his first of the season, to give the Cardinals a 4-2 lead. 
After shutting down Burlington in the bottom of the fourth, the Cardinals put one more on the board in the top of the fifth. Nolan Gorman hit a solo homerun, his seventh of the season, to make it 5-2. The Royals then scored one in the bottom of the fifth, to make it 5-3.
In the bottom of the sixth, Burlington tied the game 5-5 by scoring two runs of their own. 
Carlos Soto singled in the top of the eighth and then Dariel Gomez walked. Luis Flores replaced Carlos Soto and Zach Jackson doubled home Gomez and Flores to give the Cardinals a 7-5 lead.
Burlington scored one in the bottom of the eighth and that is where the scoring would stop, Cardinals would win 7-6 and even the series at one.
The Cardinals used four pitchers after Tommy Parsons. Junior Gonzalez was the first reliever used, he went 0.2 innings, allowed two hits and two earned runs, and earned his first hold of the season. Juan Alvarez entered the game, blew his first save of the season, but got the win. Juan went 1.1 innings, giving up two hits, and one strikeout. The third reliever was Edwar Ramirez, who pitched one inning, gave up two walks, and an earned run. He also earned his first hold of the season. The final reliever used was Michael Brettell, who notched his first save of the season. Brettell went one shut out inning, and only surrendered a walk.
With the win tonight, the Cardinals ended their longest losing streak of the season at five games. They notch their 10th win of the season.
The Cardinals take on the Royals tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. ET. They return home on Wednesday for a three game series against Bluefield.
The full schedule for the season and information regarding tickets, and promotion days can be found at jccardinals.com or by calling the Cardinals Office at (423) 461- 4866.