Pirates squeak past Cardinals, 4-3
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Johnson City Cardinals erased an early three-run deficit, but 1B Jhoan Herrera 's RBI double in the ninth proved to be the difference, as the Bristol Pirates came with a 4-3 victory on Friday night in front of 1,392 fans at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.With the loss,
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Johnson City Cardinals erased an early three-run deficit, but 1B
With the loss, both the Redbirds and the BriBucs sit at 1-1 entering the rubber match of the opening series of the 2017 season.
Tied at three and with no one on two outs, LF Edison Lantigua (2-4, R, 2B, BB, 2 SO) started Bristol's rally with a bloop single into left. On a 2-1 pitch, Herrera (3-5, 2 2B, RBI) hit a high chopper over the first baseman's head and down the right-field line. The throw to the plate was off line, as Lantigua scored to put the Pirates up, 4-3.
Johnson City threatened in the ninth, but could not even the tide for a second straight night. C Irving Wilson (1-3) singled to start the inning, but RHP Adonis Pichardo (2.0 IP, 2 H, BB, SO) was able to get a strikeout and a pair of groundouts to close out the game.
The Pirates jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage thanks to the long ball. On the third pitch of the game, CF Yondry Contreras (1-5, R, HR, RBI, 2 SO) clocked a towering home run over the wall in right to put Bristol in front, 1-0.
In the second, 2B Nelson Jorge (1-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB) stepped to the dish with one on and one out and launched a shot over the fence in left for a two-run homer, giving Bristol a 3-0 advantage.
The Baby Birds battled right back to get a run in the bottom of the inning. 1B Carlos Rodriguez (2-3, R, RBI, BB, SO) slapped a single to right and moved to third on a double down the left-field line by RF Jonathan Rivera (2-3, 2B, BB). 2B J.D. Murders (2-3, RBI, BB, SO) got Johnson City on the board, as he ripped a single to left. Rodriguez scored, but Rivera was thrown out at the plate, trimming the deficit to 3-1.
In the fifth, the Cardinals were able to even the score. SS Delvin Perez (1-5, R, SO) reached on an infield single and LF Walker Robbins (1-5, R, 2B, RBI ,SO) drove him home with a ringing double into left-center field gap, bringing the Birds to within one. The 19-year-old then moved to third on a groundout and 3B Brady Whalen (0-3, BB) reached on a walk, setting the stage for Rodriguez. The first baseman came through by scorching a single to center. Robbins came across to tie it at three.
For the second straight night, neither starter garnered a decision. RHP Angel Rondon (4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) issued three runs on six hits over four innings for Johnson City, while RHP Travis MacGregor (4.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER, BB, 3 SO) gave up just a single tally in his four frames of work for the Bucs.
Pichardo (2.0 IP, 2 H, BB, SO) earned his first win of the season, tossing two innings of spotless relief for Bristol. RHP Franyel Casadilla (3.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER, SO) was saddled with the loss after giving up one run in three innings of relief.
LHP Jacob Schlesener (2.0 IP, 2 BB, 3 SO) was impressive in his Appalachian League debut, striking out three in two innings of scoreless ball.
Rodriguez (2-3, R, RBI, BB, SO), Rivera (2-3, 2B, BB) and Murders (2-3, RBI, BB, SO) sparked the Cardinals' offense, as each player recorded multi-hit games. The trio combined for six of the team's nine hits and two of the squad's three runs batted in.
The Cardinals will attempt to capture the season-opening series, as RHP
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 from TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Friday evening's contests can be heard on NBCSportsTriCities.com, JCCardinals.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
The first 1,000 fans through the gate on Saturday night will receive a 2016 Cardinals replica championship ring courtesy of Marsh Regional Blood Center. As well, fans are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy a pregame concert starting at 6 PM as a part of Campbell's Morrell Music Soundoff Saturday's.
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.