Cardinals win third-straight series, beat Astros, 7-3

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - For the second straight year, the Johnson City has won three straight series to start the season. RF Jonathan Rivera and 1B Luis Bandes each drove in a pair of runs as the Cardinals topped the Greeneville Astros, 7-3, in front of 1,613 fans at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
With the victory, the Redbirds have improved to 6-3 on the year. Greeneville's loss drops them to 5-4.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first, Johnson City's offense exploded for three runs, despite earning just one hit in the frame. CF Chase Pinder (0-3, R, BB, SO) and 2B J.D. Murders (1-4, R, SO) were each plunked to start the frame and back-to-back walks to 3B Brady Whalen (0-3, R, 2 BB) and DH Julio Rodriguez (1-3, R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SO) evened the score at one.
Rivera (1-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI) put the Cardinals ahead for good with a sacrifice fly to right. Bandes (2-4, 2 RBI, 2 SO) proceeded to slap a run-scoring single to center, giving the Birds a 3-1 edge.
Ahead 3-2, Johnson City tacked on a run in the sixth and three more in the seventh to seal the victory. SS Wood Myers (1-2, 2 R, 2B) - who entered for Delvin Perez - to start the sixth, clocked a two-out double in the sixth. Following a walk, LF Carlos Talavera (2-4, RBI) plopped a run-scoring single to center to stretch the Cards lead to 4-2.
In the seventh, Rodriguez earned a one-out free pass and scored on Rivera's two-bagger off the wall in right. Bandes made it 6-2 with a RBI single to left and C Irving Wilson (1-3, RBI, BB) capped off the rally with a run-tallying infield single, putting Johnson City in front, 7-2.
1B Adrian Tovalin (2-4, R, HR, 2 RBI) drove in two of the Astros' three runs with a RBI single in the first and a towering solo home run - the first of his professional career - in the eighth. CF Wilson Amador (1-5, RBI, SO) tacked on a run-scoring single to left in the second.
RHP Alvaro Seijas (5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 6 SO) rebounded from Sunday's rough outing by striking out six over 5.1 innings to earn his first win of the season for the Cardinals.
LHP Cole Watts (0.1 IP, H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB) scuffled in his second pro start for Greeneville. The left-hander recorded just one out, walking two and hitting two others, suffering his first loss.
Bandes (2-4, 2 RBI, 2 SO) and Talavera (2-4, RBI) came up with big hits for Johnson City on Friday, as the duo each collected multi-hit games. Rodriguez's (1-3, R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SO) double in the eighth extended his season-opening hit streak to seven games.

The Cardinals continue their six-game homestand on Saturday, as they welcome the Pulaski Yankees, the rookie affiliate of the New York Yankees, to town. RHP Johan Oviedo  (0-0, 0 ERA) - St. Louis' No. 26 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com - is expected to take the mound for Johnson City. Pulaski is projected to counter with RHP Wellington Caceres (0-0, 6.75 ERA).
The Cardinals Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:45 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:00 p.m. ET start at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Saturday evening's contest can be heard on NBCSportsTriCities.com, JCCardinals.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps. 
Following the final out of Saturday's game will be the Cardinals' first fireworks show of the season in honor of Independence Day on Tuesday. In addition, it will be the team's first Cardinal Cruise of the year presented by TREK of Johnson City.
Season and single-game tickets are still available and can be purchased 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 80 years. To learn more about the Johnson City Cardinals, visit www.jccardinals.com.