Astros complete sweep of Mets in 15-inning game
Greeneville, TN - It may have taken 15 innings, but the Greeneville Astros (4-5) completed a series sweep of the Kingsport Mets (2-7) in a 2-1 game on Friday night at Pioneer Park. Six different pitchers were used by the Astros as they recorded a club record with 25 strikeouts on the night.
The whole game was a defensive battle. Through the first four innings, the two teams had combined for just three hits and no runs, but both teams finally got on the scoreboard in the fifth inning.
In the top of the fifth, Kingsport's Amed Rosario hit a solo homer to center field to put the Mets briefly on top. However, in the bottom of the inning, Wallace Gonzalez crushed a solo shot of his own for the Astros deep to left field to even the score at 1-1.
Over the next nine innings, the score would not change. As the Astros were just shy of their all-time record for longest game and most innings, they finally got something going in the 15th inning when Tanner Mathis led off with a walk and advanced to second on a Jack Mayfield sacrifice bunt. Then, Darwin Rivera hit a hard ball towards first base that resulted in a fielding error and allowed Mathis to head towards home. When the throw came, Mathis was able to work his way around the catcher as he lost the ball and got home safely for the winning score.
Greeneville's starting pitcher Frederick Tiburcio pitched five innings with two hits, one run and seven strikeouts. Reliever's Tyler Brunnemann and Gonzalo Sanudo combined for seven more strikeouts over the next five innings, including a hitless inning by Ryan Connolly. Then, Gerardo Ramirez had nine strikeouts over four innings, and finally, Christian Garcia picked up two in the final frame and earned the win.
Greeneville will head to Burlington for a three-game series with the Royals beginning Saturday. Their next home game is set for Thursday, July 4th with a special Independence Day Celebration and fireworks show immediately following the game. For more information on the Greeneville Astros please visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.