Pulaski and Bristol Finish Out Exciting Series

PULASKI, Virginia - In a series that has been unpredictable, Tuesday's finale between the Pulaski Yankees (8-5) and Bristol Pirates (6-7) had all the excitement fans have come to expect over the holiday weekend. For the second straight night fans were forced to wait until late in the game to see any offense as the Pulaski Yankees defeated the Bristol Pirates 6-3. Pulaski starter Chad Martin (2-0) picked up the win while pitching seven innings giving up five hits and three runs. Bristol reliever Nick Hutchings earned the loss tossing two innings and giving up three hits and five runs, four that were earned.

     The game moved along fairly quickly timewise; however the play was slow at the beginning of the game. Neither team had much offense early on as the Yankees scored first in the second inning thanks to a solo home run by Dermis Garcia. Garcia's home run was his fifth of the season for Pulaski.

     It was not until the top of the fifth that another run crossed the plate. The Pirates started off the inning with a single to centerfield by DH Huascar Fuentes. Julio De La Cruz then singled the right field to advance Fuentes. Yoel Gonzalez then reached base on a fielder's choice that loaded the bases. Daniel Cucjen then hit into a fielder's choice driving in Fuentes to tie the game. The Pirates took the lead when Michael De La Cruz hit a two RBI triple to right field.

     After two innings of trailing, the Yankees decided it was time to turn up the heat on a hot summer night. Kevin Cornelius got the seventh inning going by drawing a walk. Leonardo Molina followed with a single before both runners advanced on a past ball. Garcia then loaded the bases with a walk. Cornelius then scored on an error by Bristol first basemen Jhoan Herrera. When Brian Rey stepped up to the plate he drove in Molina and Garcia with a two-run single to centerfield. Welfrin Mateo drove in Rey for the final run of the game with a single to centerfield to put the Yankees up by three runs.

     The Yankees win keeps them near the top of the Appalachian League standings. They will head to Princeton next for a three game road series before returning home to face Burlington in a weekend series.