Johnson City falls in return to Cardinal Park
After two complete innings of shutouts baseball the Royals scored eight in the top of the third. Four of those runs came off a grand slam by second baseman Kenny
Diekroeger. The three runners on base reached on two hits and a walk before Diekroeger came to bat. The remaining four runs consisted of two bases loaded walks, a wild pitch that led to Burlington stealing home and a sacrifice fly to center field.
The Cardinals worked on a rally, scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning in response to the Royals eight. The two runs though, would be all Johnson City could muster.
With the Royals scoring six more runs before the night ended the Cardinals would lose by a final score of 14-2 in the first game of a three game home stand against Burlington.
Yender Caramo, Burlington's starting pitcher was awarded the win while Stalyn Lopez who was on the mound for the Cardinals during the rough third inning took the loss.
The second game of the series is Friday night at Cardinal Park where Johnson City will look to bounce back from a disheartening return to their home field and even the score with Burlington.
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