CARDINAL BATS STAY HOT TO TAKE SERIES OPENER IN GREENEVILLE

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - The Cardinals stormed back in convincing fashion in the series opener at Pioneer Park Tuesday, erasing an early 6-3 deficit to win going away 14-6 vs. the Reds. Chandler Redmond, David Vinsky, and Liam Sabino all hit their first home runs of the season. 
The Cardinals (4-2) reset their season-high in hits (18) and matched it in runs (14). Zach Jackson, Todd Lott and Brandon Purcell all finished with three hits. Eight of the nine spots reached for Johnson City, and seven of the nine spots reached at least twice. It was the second time in three games that the Cardinals have scored 14 runs. 
The Cards started the attack early with three runs in the first. Redmond got the party started with a two-run homer to highlight the frame vs. Reds starter Orlando Noriega.
Greeneville (3-4) struck for six runs in the second vs. Johnson City starter Jose Moreno. Enrique Perez entered the ballgame and left the bases loaded to curb the damage and begin a streak of eight straight scoreless innings for the Johnson City bullpen.
Vinsky launched a two-run home run in the fifth to draw the Cardinals within 6-5. Johnson City proceeded to score five runs in the fifth, two of which came on a 2-RBI single from Sabino, to flip the script and assume a 10-6 lead. Sabino added a home run as part of a three-run seventh to put the game well out of reach.
The contest was the second straight for Jackson with three hits. The designated hitter from Winter Haven, Fla. scored three times. Lott also scored three runs. Redmond, Sabino, Vinsky, and Purcell all drove in three runs.
Jake Sommers (1-0) picked up his first Cardinal win. The righty 10th-round selection out of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee made a stellar first impression, facing the minimum in the fourth and fifth. He struck out three in his pro debut. Danny Serreino (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing five runs (five earned) without recording an out in the sixth.
Leonardo Taveras provided an exclamation point late when he entered to pitch with two outs in the eighth and proceeded to strike out four in a row to end the ballgame.
The Cardinals and Reds continue the three-game series tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. ET. RHP Francisco Justo (1-0, 1.80 ERA) is expected to start for the Cardinals. RHP Juan Abril (0-1, 27.00 ERA) will get the ball for the Reds. 
The Cardinals return home for a fun-filled homestand June 28-July 3 vs. Kingsport and Greeneville. The full schedule for this season and season ticket information can be found 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 over 50 years. To learn more about the Johnson City Cardinals, visit www.jccardinals.com.
[STORY PHOTO BY ROBERT KELL]