Walks wound Reds in loss to Royals, 4-2

Rylan Thomas goes deep as Greeneville drops fourth-straight

1B Rylan Thomas collected two doubles and drove in three runs, but the Johnson City Cardinals knocked off the Greeneville Reds, 9-7, in front of 1,226 fans at Pioneer Park on Friday night. (Brian McLeod / MiLB.com)

By Justin Rocke

July 8, 2018

BURLINGTON, N.C. -- 1B Rylan Thomas launched a towering solo home run in the eighth, but it was not enough, as the Burlington Royals took the game and the series by knocking off the Greeneville Reds, 4-2, on Sunday afternoon at Burlington Athletic Stadium.With the loss, Greeneville has now fallen in four-consecutive contests

BURLINGTON, N.C. -- 1B Rylan Thomas launched a towering solo home run in the eighth, but it was not enough, as the Burlington Royals took the game and the series by knocking off the Greeneville Reds, 4-2, on Sunday afternoon at Burlington Athletic Stadium.
With the loss, Greeneville has now fallen in four-consecutive contests and dropped to 5-12 on the year. Burlington's victory gave them back-to-back triumphs for the first time in 2018, as well as their first series victory. The Royals now sit at 4-15 on the campaign.
The Reds struck first for the second-straight game, scratching a run across in the top of the fifth. After retiring the first 13 batters of the contest, LHP Austin Cox (5.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 9 SO) surrendered back-to-back singles to C Hunter Oliver (1-4, R, 2 SO) and RF Reniel Ozuna (1-4, SO). With two down, DH Jose Tello (1-2, RBI, BB, SO) rifled a single to center for his first Appalachian League base-hit. Oliver scored from second to put the Reds in front, 1-0.
Burlington would grab the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth despite not picking up a base-hit. Three-straight walks began the frame and a hit-by-pitch of 2B Colby Schultz (0-2, RBI, BB, 2 SO) forced home a run to even the contest at one. Five pitches later, LF Montae Bradshaw (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SO) drew a bases-loaded free pass to impose in another tally, giving the Royals a 2-1 edge.
In the seventh, the Royals extended their lead to three. Following a 1B Rhett Aplin (1-3, 2 R, 2B, 2 BB) double, C Chris Hudgins (1-3, 2 R, RBI, BB) uncorked an RBI single to put Burlington ahead, 3-1. Later in the frame - with first and second and two out - Bradshaw plopped a pop-up into shallow right for a hit. Hudgins scored, as Bradshaw motored to second with a double, extending the Reds deficit to 4-1.
Greeneville added a run and threatened for more in the eighth, but that was as close as they would get. Thomas (1-3, R, HR, RBI, 2 SO) walloped an offering over the left-center field fence to a towering solo home run. The clout - his second of the year - pulled the Redlegs within two, 4-2.
The Reds would bring the go-ahead run to the plate in the frame but failed to deliver. After a walk and hit-by-pitch put two on with two outs, 3B Jonathan India (0-4, 2 SO) popped out to first to end the rally.
For the second-straight day, both starters faired well but received no-decisions. LHP Jacob Heatherly (4.0 IP, H, 6 BB, 5 SO) walked six, yet punched out five in his first scoreless outing of the season. Cox (5.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 9 SO) retired the first 13 he faced, striking out a career-best nine.
LHP Marlin Willis (2.2 IP, H, R, ER, 2 BB, SO) held down the fort in relief for the Royals, earning his first victory of the year. RHP Kyle Hinton (1.1 IP, 2 SO) retired all four men he faced out of the bullpen to accumulate his second professional save. Greeneville RHP Josh Rich (1.2 IP, H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, SO) threw an impressive fifth inning, but struggled with his command in the sixth and was saddled with his pro defeat.
The Reds will look to salvage the final game of the series on Monday night, as RHP Josiah Gray (1-1, 2.45 ERA) is expected to take the mound. Burlington is slated to counter with RHP Elvis Luciano (0-3, 8.25 ERA).
The G-Reds 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 Burlington Athletic Stadium. Monday evening's contest can be heard on GreenevilleReds.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Following the week-long road trip, the Reds will return home on Saturday, July 14 to open up a three-game set against the Bristol Pirates. It will be Star Wars Night at the ballpark that evening featuring special movie-themed uniforms, music, food, and on-field games. In addition, the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a special Lightsaber Giveaway courtesy of Consumer Credit Union. That night's jersey's will be auctioned off to benefit the United Way of Greene County.
Season and single-game tickets are still available and can be purchased online at GreenevilleReds.com or by calling the Reds' Ticket Office at (423) 609-7400.