JUSTO DAZZLES BUT CARDS CAN'T WITHSTAND LATE REDS SURGE

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - The Johnson City Cardinals got a brilliant start from righty Francisco Justo but ultimately could not overcome a six-run seventh inning rally by the Greeneville Reds Wednesday. Justo went 6.1 innings of one-hit ball without allowing an earned run, but the Cardinals fell 6-2 at Pioneer Park.
Justo struck out seven in his second start of the season without issuing a walk. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth before a base hit by Greeneville first baseman Garrett Wolforth broke up the bid at history. Justo received a no-decision after exiting the game with one out and one aboard in the seventh. He allowed just one hit - Wolforth's single.
The Cardinals built the young starter from Monroe College a 2-0 lead in the fourth when Terry Fuller reached with a walk to start the frame against Reds starter Juan Abril. Fuller moved first to third on a base hit by Zach Jackson and scored on an RBI single by Todd Lott. Victor Garcia added an RBI base hit of his own to score Jackson and make it 2-0.
Lott would finish with his second straight three-hit game. The first baseman from Louisiana-Lafayette has picked up hits in six of his last seven at-bats.
In the seventh, Raul Juarez reached on error by Raffy Ozuna to start the rally. Justo exited after the miscue and gave way to Dylan Pearce (0-1), who surrendered four runs (four earned) on four hits to suffer the loss. Walker Robbins allowed two hits, two walks and one run in relief of Pearce before Michael YaSenka provided a late bright spot by retiring four straight to end the eighth and ninth.
Tyler Garbee (1-0) earned the win on the mound for the Reds after holding the Cardinals scoreless in the sixth, seventh, and eighth. The Reds outhit the Cardinals 7-6. Greeneville went 5-for-7 with runners in scoring position while the Cards went just 2-for-9.
Johnson City (4-3) and Greeneville (4-4) will decide the three-game series Thursday at Pioneer Park. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. RHP Julio Puello (0-0, 1.59 ERA) is expected to start for the Cardinals vs. RHP Graham Ashcraft (0-1, 9.00 ERA) for the Reds. 
The Cardinals return home for a fun-filled homestand June 28-July 3 vs. Kingsport and Greeneville. The full 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: ROBERT KELL]