Braves Take Series Opener Against Cardinals

JOHNSON CITY, TN - The Cardinals came back to TVA Credit Union Ballpark after going 4-2 on a six-game road trip. The Cardinals fell to the Braves 7-5 to start the first of six straight home games.   
Cole Aker started the game for the Cardinals, his second with Johnson City. Aker had a very solid second start for the Cardinals. He went 4.2 innings, allowing three hits, three unearned runs, and notched four strikeouts. 
The Cardinals started the scoring in bottom of the second. Leandro Cedeno hit an infield single and Brandon Riley walked to put runners on first and second to start the bottom of the second. After a groundout that moved the runners over to second and third, Donivan Williams singled to score Cedeno from third and make the score 1-0.
The Cardinals followed up with one run in the bottom of the fourth. After two quick outs to start the frame, Carlos Soto doubled and Donivan Williams also doubled to score Soto and increase the Cardinals lead to 2-0. 
The Braves were not fazed by the early scoring from Johnson City, as they scored seven, two-out runs in the top of the fifth to take a 7-2 lead. Johnson City answered with a two-run homerun from Jonatan Machado , which was his second of the season and that made the score 7-4.
The Cardinals managed to score one more run in the bottom of the ninth. Brandon Riley singled to start the inning and Donivan Williams walked. With one out and runners on first and second, Zach Jackson ripped a single to right field and Riley scored from second, but the scoring would stop there and Johnson City would drop game one to Danville, 7-5.
The Cardinals used four pitchers after Cole Aker. Enrique Perez was first out of the bullpen. Perez took his first second loss of the season, throwing 0.1 innings, surrendering three hits and three unearned runs. He also notched one strikeout. David Oca was the second pitcher used. Oca pitched two innings, surrendering only two hits and notching one strikeout. Junior Gonzalez was the third pitcher used. Gonzalez threw one inning, gave up one hit and tallied one strikeout.  Evan Sisk was the final pitcher used by Johnson City. Sisk threw one inning, and walked one batter.
Game two between the Cardinals and Braves is set for Saturday, July 28th at 7:00 p.m. ET. Saturday is also Daniel Norris Bobblehead Giveaway, presented by Marsh Blood Center and Katz America. 
You can listen all season long to Johnson City Cardinals baseball on the MiLB First Pitch App, or via TuneIn Radio on the Johnson City Cardinals Radio Network.
The full schedule for the season and information regarding tickets, and promotion days can be found at jccardinals.com or by calling the Cardinals Office at (423) 461- 4866.