CARDS POST TEN RUNS, EXTEND WIN STREAK TO FIVE

JOHNSON CITY - The Johnson City Cardinals extended their win streak to five straight games with a 10-5 win over the Greeneville Reds Tuesday at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Jhon Torres picked up a season-best three hits and three RBIs as the Cardinals clinched the series.
Johnson City leapt out to an early 2-0 lead when Mateo Gil launched a two-run blast off Reds starter Graham Ashcraft with Torres aboard in the first. The win was the first on the five-game winning streak in which the Cardinals were the first team to score. The homer was the second of the season for Gil. 
The Cardinals put the game out of reach with a seven-run explosion in the third. The team reached nine straight spots without recording an out vs. Ashcraft (1-2) and relief man Randy Wynne. Ashcraft was credited with all ten runs. He suffered the loss.
Julio Puello (1-1) earned the win on the mound with five solid innings of starting work. The righty threw nearly 100 pitches, striking out five and limiting the Reds to three runs. Wilfredo Pereira allowed a two-out, two-run home run to Raul Juarez in the seventh before Enrique Perez left two in scoring position to keep the Cards up five. Perez finished the game with 2.1 innings of excellent relief. The southpaw did not allow a hit, a run or a walk and finished with three strikeouts.
Torres recorded his best game at the plate this season by going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Gil finished with two hits. He now has five multi-hit efforts this season. Todd Lott also picked up two hits and a run scored. Every spot in the Cardinal order scored at least once. Ben Baird picked up two tallies. The seven runs in the third were the team's season-high for a single inning this season.
The Cardinals (9-4) will look to finish the homestand a perfect 6-0 by defeating Greeneville (5-9) tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. ET. Dalton Roach (0-0, 9.35 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Cardinals. RHP JC Keys will get the ball for the Reds (1-1, 4.91 ERA). 
Fans are invited to celebrate Independence Day at TVA Credit Union Ballpark Wednesday and help finish the homestand right. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and fans will be invited to stick around after the game for a huge fireworks display. The full Johnson City Cardinals schedule for this season and season ticket information can be found online at jccardinals.com, or by calling the Cardinals Ticket Office at 423-461-4866.
ABOUT THE JOHNSON CITY CARDINALS
The Johnson City Cardinals are the Rookie affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Members of the ten-team Appalachian League, Cardinals baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 50 years. To learn more about the Johnson City Cardinals, visit www.jccardinals.com.
[STORY PHOTO BY ROBERT KELL]