PUELLO, GUAY PITCH CARDS PAST BUCS IN OPENER

August 23, 2019

JOHNSON CITY - The Johnson City Cardinals opened their most important series of the year to this point with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Bristol Pirates Friday evening. 2,458 came out to TVA Credit Union Ballpark to watch the Cards down the Bucs in a 1 hour, 58 minute

JOHNSON CITY - The Johnson City Cardinals opened their most important series of the year to this point with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Bristol Pirates Friday evening. 2,458 came out to TVA Credit Union Ballpark to watch the Cards down the Bucs in a 1 hour, 58 minute contest.
The starter Puello allowed a home run to Jake Snider, the first batter he faced, but settled down to hold the Pirates to just one run on four hits. He struck out seven and issued a single walk in 7.2 innings. The start was the longest of the season for Puello, who leads the Appalachian League in innings pitched this season with 66.2.
Liam Sabino launched his sixth homer of the season in the fourth to give the Cardinals a 2-1 lead. The blast scored himself and Aaron Antonini. Sabino has now either scored the go-ahead run or posted the go-ahead hit in three of the last four Cardinal wins.
Guay earned his fourth save by stranding a runner on second in the eighth and notching a 1-2-3 ninth. The Cards outhit the Pirates 5-4. Starter Jose Maldonado (4-6) suffered the loss on the mound for Bristol. The game was the fastest in nine innings for the Cards this year. Johnson City now leads Bristol by 1.5 games in the chase for the Appalachian West crown.
The Cards will throw RHP Jake Sommers (2-3, 4.34 ERA) as they look to win the crucial series Saturday. The Pirates are expected to start RHP Dante Mendoza (0-2, 6.57 ERA). First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. Fans can listen live on the Johnson City Cardinals Radio Network via TuneIn and the MiLB First Pitch app.
Saturday is Star Wars Night at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. The first 1,000 fans will receive a free lightsaber presented by Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union. It will also be a Sound Off Saturday featuring live pregame music on the concourse presented by Campbell's Morell Music. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m.
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]