Myers' four hits not enough, as Cardinals fall, 7-3

Wood Myers and Irving Lopez combine to reach base eight times in loss

DH Wood Myers racked up a game-high four hits and reached base five times, but the Cardinals fell to the Astros, 7-3, on Wednesday night at Pioneer Park. (Bret Jacomet)

By Justin Rocke

July 5, 2017

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - DH Wood Myers and 3B Irving Lopez combined to reach base eight times, but it was not enough, as the Greeneville Astros took their second in-a-row against the Johnson City Cardinals, 7-3, on Wednesday night at Pioneer Park.With the loss, the Cardinals have dropped three straight and are now 7-7 on the

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - DH Wood Myers and 3B Irving Lopez combined to reach base eight times, but it was not enough, as the Greeneville Astros took their second in-a-row against the Johnson City Cardinals, 7-3, on Wednesday night at Pioneer Park.
With the loss, the Cardinals have dropped three straight and are now 7-7 on the year. Greeneville has now won four consecutive contests and saw their record improve to 9-4.
After an hour-and-four-minute rain delay to start the night, the Redbirds squeaked out to an early lead. Lopez (2-4, 3 R, BB) and Myers (4-4, BB) reached on singles and 1B Luis Bandes (2-5, 2B, RBI) slapped a base hit through the right side to score a run and put the Birds ahead, 1-0.
The lead did not last long, as the Astros utilized the long ball in the first and second. With one on and one out in the opening frame, 3B Adrian Tovalin (1-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB) slashed a liner over the fence in right for a two-run dinger - his second of the year - to put Greeneville in front, 2-1. In the second, DH Colton Shaver (3-3, R, HR, 3 RBI, BB) whacked a 1-2 offering beyond the left-center field wall for a solo blast - the first hit and homer of this professional career - to make it a 3-1 affair.
Greeneville ballooned the lead up the five with a three-run fifth. With the bases full thanks to a pair of hit batters and a walk, C Oscar Campos (0-2, R, RBI, BB) lofted a sacrifice fly to center to score a run, giving the G-Stros a 4-1 edge. After another free pass, Shaver delivered again cranking a two-run single into left to put the Astros in front, 6-1.
Johnson City added a run in the seventh on a RBI from C Irving Wilson (0-4, RBI, BB) and a bases loaded walk to 2B J.D. Murders (0-4, RBI, BB, SO) in the ninth. Greeneville scored their final tally in the seventh on a RBI ground out by SS Joan Mauricio (1-3, RBI, BB, SO).
RHP Humberto Castellanos (3.2 IP, 4 H, R, ER, BB, 3 SO) earned the win in relief for Greeneville in his Appalachian League debut. The right-hander yielded just one run on four hits in 3.2 innings. Starter RHP Gerardo Bojorquez (4.1 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 4 BB, SO) lasted just 4.1 innings, allowing only one run.
Cardinals' RHP Edwar Ramirez (4.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 2 SO) struggled on Wednesday, issuing 13 baserunners in 4.2 innings and allowing six runs to suffer his second consecutive defeat.
Myers (4-4, BB) stole the show offensively, collecting a season-best and game-high four hits. This season against Greeneville, the left-handed swinger is now batting an other-worldly .631 (12-19). Lopez (2-4, 3 R, BB) reached base three times and scored all three of the Cardinals' runs. Bandes (2-5, 2B, RBI) added a pair of hits and a RBI in the defeat.
The Cardinals will look to salvage the final game of the series on Thursday, as RHP Alvaro Seijas (1-0, 6.78 ERA) - St. Louis' No. 20 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com - is expected to take the mound for Johnson City. RHP Hansel Paulin (1-0, 1.86 ERA) is slated to make the start for Greeneville.
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 Pioneer Park. Thursday evening's contest can be heard on NBCSportsTriCities.com, JCCardinals.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Following the road trip, the Cardinals will return to open up a three-game homestand against the Bristol Pirates, the rookie affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on Wednesday, July 12. It will be the Cardinals' All-You-Can-Eat Night, as fans can purchase a special wristband and enjoy all-you-can-eat on select food items.
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.