Cardinals late rally falls short in 5-3 loss to Astros

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Down two, the Cardinals loaded the bases in the ninth inning, but could not find a way to tie the game, as the Greeneville Astros held on for a 5-3 win over Johnson City in front of 3,103 fans at TVA Credit Union Ballpark on Thursday night.
With the loss, the Cardinals' three-game winning streak is snapped, as they move to 5-3 on the year. Greeneville improves to 5-3 as the victors.
Johnson City managed to fill the bases in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a pair of walks and a single by DH Wood Myers (2-4, BB, SO). The Astros then called on RHP Willy Collado (0.1 IP) to try and finish off the ballgame. The sidearmer got C Julio Rodriguez (2-4, R, 2B, RBI) to ground to second to end the contest and seal the win for Greeneville.
The Astros utilized the long ball in the victory, tallying three on the night. SS Cody Bohanek (2-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, SO) clocked a two-run shot to left in the first, putting Greeneville in front permanently, 2-0. In the third, CF Wilson Amador (2-3, R, HR, RBI, SO) blasted a solo shot to lead off the inning and C Oscar Campos (1-3, R, HR, RBI, BB) added a one-run dinger to make it a 5-2 affair in the sixth.
Down 4-0, the Redbirds scratched across a pair of runs in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded and nobody out, 1B Carlos Rodriguez (1-4, RBI, BB, 2 SO) put Johnson City on the board with a RBI single to third. Julio Rodriguez followed with a sacrifice fly to left-center, trimming the deficit to 4-2.
LF Walker Robbins (1-3, 2B, RBI, BB, SO) drove home the game's final run for the Cardinals in the sixth. After a Julio Rodriguez single and a walk to 2B J.D. Murders (0-3, BB, 2 SO), the 19-year-old laced a run-scoring double to right, reducing the Astros advantage to 5-3.
Neither starter factored into the decision on Thursday. RHP Edwar Ramirez (6.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 SO) yielded all five runs and all three homers over six innings, as he suffered his first loss of the campaign for the Cards. Astros LHP Noel Pinto (1.2 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 SO) was removed after just five outs, allowing just one hit.
RHP Gerardo Bojorquez (3.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, SO) recorded his first win for Greeneville, allowing three runs (two earned) in 3.2 innings. Collado (0.1 IP) tallied the final out for his first save.
Johnson City's bullpen was phenomenal, as RHP Will Changarotty (2.0 IP, H, 4 SO) and RHP Robert Calvano (1.0 IP, BB, 2 SO) combined to strike out six batters over three innings.
Myers (2-4, BB, SO) accrued his third-straight multi-hit game for the Cardinals, while Julio Rodriguez (2-4, R, 2B, RBI) extended his season-opening hit streak to six games in the losing effort. Robbins' (1-3, 2B, RBI, BB) RBI double pushed his hit streak to four straight.

The Cardinals will look to capture their third straight series on Friday night in the rubber match against the Astros. RHP Alvaro Seijas (0-0, 12.00 ERA) - St. Louis' No. 20 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com - is expected to take the mound for Johnson City. Greeneville is projected to counter with LHP Cole Watts (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
The Cardinals 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 TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Friday evening's contest can be heard on NBCSportsTriCities.com, JCCardinals.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps. 
Fans are advised to arrive early, as the first 250 fans through the gates will receive a limited edition Johnson City Cardinals' tank top courtesy of Kolona Fitness on Salute to Bro-Tanks Night.
Season and single-game tickets are still available and can be purchased 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 80 years. To learn more about the Johnson City Cardinals, visit www.jccardinals.com.