Cardinals Lose Opener to Royals

JOHNSONCITY, TN - After falling to the Elizabethton Twins 3-1 in their four-game series, the Cardinals were set to get back in the win column against the Burlington Royals. Johnson City had the lead heading to the top of the fourth, but Burlington ran away with it scoring five runs over the next three innings and would end up winning 13-5.    
The Royals drew first blood scoring two in the top of the first. Johnson City answered with two runs in the bottom of the second. DonivanWilliams led off with a double (7). ZachJackson doubled (12) to score Williams to put the Cardinals on the board, they trailed 2-1. LiamSabino then doubled (2) to score Jackson which tied the game at two. 
The Cardinals took the lead in the bottom of the third after scoring one run. JonatanMachado reached on a throwing error to lead off the inning. He then reached second on a LeandroCedeno groundout. DarielGomez then singled and Machado scored to give the Cardinals the 3-2 lead.   
ColeAker got the start for Johnson City, his fifth with the team. Aker pitched 4.2 innings, surrendering seven hits, six earned runs, four walks, and notching four strikeouts. Unfortunately Aker took the loss, his second of the season.
After the Cardinals took the 3-2 lead, the Royals answered and regained the lead, scoring three runs in the fourth, one in the fifth, and one in the sixth to take a 7-3 lead. The Cardinals responded with one run in the bottom of the sixth. ZachJackson led off the inning with a single and LiamSabino doubled (3) to score Jackson to cut the deficit 7-4. 
The Royals did not slow down as they put six runs on the scoreboard in the final two innings, while Johnson City put one up in the bottom of the ninth on a LeandroCedeno solo homerun (11). 
The Cardinals used two pitchers after ColeAker. JuniorGonzalez was used first out of the bullpen. Gonzalez pitched 2.2 innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs, one walk, and had four strikeouts. JuanAlvarez was the final reliever used. Alvarez went 1.2 innings, surrendering six hits, five earned runs, two walks, and had two strikeouts.
Game two between the Cardinals and Royals is slated for 7:00 p.m. tomorrow.
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