Rodriguez's knocks rock Twins in 11-4 victory

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - C Julio Rodriguez wrapped up a massive series by picking up a double, a home run and driving in a game-high four runs, as the Johnson City Cardinals cruised past the Elizabethton Twins, 11-4, in front of 2,441 fans at TVA Credit Union Ballpark on Tuesday afternoon.
With the win, the Redbirds snapped a brief two-game losing streak and improved their overall record 28-24. The Twins' loss dropped their overall mark to 31-22 on the campaign.
As a result of their victory and Greeneville's contest being canceled due to rain, Johnson City now holds a half-game lead over the Astros for the final playoff spot in the western division with 15 games remaining.
Trailing 3-1 going into the bottom of the fourth, the Cardinals offense sprung to life with two outs, as DH J.D. Murders (1-3, R, BB) and LF Walker Robbins (1-3, R, BB, SO) started the attack with back-to-back singles. From that point on, control was an issue for the E-Twins as RHP Edwar Colina (3.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) and RHP Juan Gamez (2.0 IP, H, 5 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, SO) walked four straight batters - three of them with the bases loaded - to force home a trio of runs and give Johnson City their first lead, 4-3.
Finally, Rodriguez (2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, BB) made Elizabethton pay for their generosity. On a 1-2 pitch, the Dominican native ripped a double high off the wall in left-center field. All three runners came home to score, giving the Redbirds a 7-3 edge.
After the Twins pulled a run closer in the top of the sixth on a RBI double by 3B Ariel Montesino (1-2, R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Johnson City's offense erupted for three more tallies in the bottom of the frame, again with two outs.
CF Chase Pinder (1-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SO), 3B Brady Whalen (1-3, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB) and Rodriguez all drew free passes to fill the bases. 1B Luis Bandes (2-5, 2 RBI) followed by smashing a 0-1 pitch into center field for a base-hit. Two runs came across to make it a 9-4 contest. SS Imeldo Diaz (1-4, RBI) added a run-scoring single of his own to left-center, stretching the Redbirds' lead to 10-4.
Johnson City scored its first and final run of the day thanks to the long ball. Down 2-0 in the third, Whalen hammered the 10th pitch of the at-bat over the right-field wall for a solo home run. The blast - his sixth of the year - made it a 2-1 game at the time. In the eighth, Rodriguez smashed a ball over the left-center-field fence for his fourth homer of the season, capping off the scoring and an 11-4 advantage.
Elizabethton's first three runs came on an error and a wild pitch in the first and a sacrifice fly by Montesino in the fourth.
LHP Jacob Schlesener (5.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO) did not have his best effort numbers wise but kept the Cardinals in the contest early. The 20-year-old struck out six over 5.1 innings to earn his second victory of the season. Colina (3.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) failed to make it out of the fourth, receiving his fourth defeat of the year.
Rodriguez (2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, BB) reached base three times to lead the Cardinal offense, collecting a game-best four runs batted in. Bandes (2-5, 2 RBI) also added a pair of hits and RBI in the win, while Whalen (1-3, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB) reached base three times - scoring in all three instances - and brought in a couple of runs.
After Wednesday's off day, Johnson City will hit the road for their first meeting against the Bluefield Blue Jays, the rookie affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
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 Bowen Field. Thursday evening's contest can be heard on JCCardinals.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps. 
Following the six-game road trip, the Redbirds will return home to open up a three-game series against the Greeneville Astros, the rookie affiliate of the Houston Astros, on Wednesday, August 23. It will be Hot Dog Heaven Night as all hot dogs that evening will be sold for just 50 cents.
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.