Cardinals Bats Explode Early to Take Game 2 Against Bluefield

JOHNSON CITY, TN - The Johnson City Cardinals were riding high after a monster offensive day on Wednesday and a 7-5 win. The offense got going early again on Thursday and the Cardinals came away with the 7-6 win and a 2-0 series lead over Bluefield.
Noel De Jesus got the start for the Cardinals, his fifth start of the season. Noel did not factor in the decision, as he went 3.2 innings, allowing eight hits, six earned runs, with one strikeout. Noel's ERA would increase from 7.04 to 8.10. 
The Blue Jays got the scoring started in the top of the first with two runs. The Cardinals answered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Kevin Woodall was hit by a pitch. Dariel Gomez lined a single to put runners on first and third. With Carlos Soto batting, Kevin Woodall scored from third on a wild pitch to make it 2-1. Carlos Soto then doubled home Gomez to tie the game at two. Donivan Williams then launched a monster two-run homerun to left field to give the Cardinals the 4-2 lead.
The Cardinals didn't stop there as they scored two more runs in the bottom of the second. Luis Flores led off with a triple and Brandon Riley singled home Flores to make the score 5-2. After Kevin Woodall walked, and Carlos Soto singled with two outs and Brandon Riley scored to make the score 6-2 for the Cardinals.
Bluefield wouldn't go away as they tied the game at six with four runs in the top of the fourth. Johnson City answered in the bottom of the fourth with one run courtesy of a solo homerun by Kevin Woodall, his seventh of the season. The scoring stopped there and the final score was 7-6, Cardinals take a 2-0 series lead over Bluefield.
The Cardinals used three pitchers after Noel De Jesus. Michael Brettell was first out of the bullpen. Brettell got the win going 3.1 innings, giving up only two hits, and notched five strikeouts. Enrique Perez, the second reliever used by the Cardinals got his second hold of the season while pitching one inning of shut out baseball and notching three strikeouts. Evan Sisk was the final pitcher used, and got his second save of the season. Sisk pitched one inning of shut out baseball and had one strikeout.
The Cardinals finish the series against Bluefield tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET and then head out on the road for a six game road trip against Danville and Pulaski.
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.