E-Twins shutout Cardinals, take opener, 5-0

Johnson City held to one hit in fifth-straight loss

RHP Johan Oviedo tied a career-high with seven strikeouts, but the Johnson City Cardinals fell to the Elizabethton Twins, 5-0, on Friday night at Joe O'Brien Field. (Bret Jacomet)

By Justin Rocke

July 7, 2017

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - The Cardinals just could not find a way to get the offense going on Friday night, as Johnson City was one-hit by the Elizabethton Twins in a 5-0 loss at Joe O'Brien Field.With the defeat, the Redbirds have now lost five straight and drop to 7-9 on the

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - The Cardinals just could not find a way to get the offense going on Friday night, as Johnson City was one-hit by the Elizabethton Twins in a 5-0 loss at Joe O'Brien Field.
With the defeat, the Redbirds have now lost five straight and drop to 7-9 on the year. The win for the Twins was their second in-a-row and now move to 11-5 on the season.
It was a scoreless game until the second inning when Elizabethton erupted for three runs. 1B Kolton Kendrick (0-2, R, 2 BB, SO) reached on a walk to start the frame and made it to third on a pair of wild pitches. DH Jose Miranda (1-4, R, 3 RBI) drove in the run with a ground ball, but reached himself on an error, as the Twins jumped ahead, 1-0.
CF Mark Contreras (2-4, R) proceeded to single and SS Jordan Gore (1-3, BB, 2 SO) walked to load the bases. C Andrew Cosgrove (0-3, RBI) was able to make it 2-0 with a bases loaded hit-by-pitch and RF T.J. Dixon (0-3, BB, SO) extended the advantage to three, as a run scored on his double-play grounder.
The Twins scratched across two more in the third. 2B Carson Crites (0-3, R, BB, SO) got aboard on an error to ignite the rally and LF Brent Rooker (1-3, R, BB, SO) earned a walk. With one out, the duo complete a double steal and Miranda proceeded to drive them both in with a single to left-center to give Elizabethton a 5-0 advantage.
That was all the run support LHP Charlie Barnes (5.0 IP, H, BB, 7 SO) needed. The fourth-round draftee allowed just one hit and struck out seven to earn the first win of his professional career. RHP Juan Gamez (2.0 IP, BB, SO) and LHP Jovani Moran (2.0 IP, BB, 6 SO) combined to strike out seven of the game's final 12 hitters to complete the one-hit shutout.
Johnson City's pitching staff fared well in a losing effort on Friday. RHP Johan Oviedo (4.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO) suffered his first loss of the campaign but tied a career-best with seven strikeouts. RHP Juan Alvarez (2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 BB) and RHP Evan Guillory (1.1 IP, H, BB, SO) united to throw 3.2 innings of spotless relief to keep the game within striking distance.

The Cardinals will look to get back in the win column on Saturday, as they are expected to send RHP Franyel Casadilla (0-2, 5.87 ERA) to the mound. LHP Bryan Sammons (0-0, 1.59 ERA) is slated to make his first pro start for Elizabethton.
The Cardinals Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 5:45 p.m. ET, leading up to the 6:00 p.m. ET start at Joe O'Brien Field. Saturday evening's contest can be heard on NBCSportsTriCities.com, JCCardinals.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Following the road trip, the Cardinals will return to open up a three-game homestand against the Bristol Pirates, the rookie affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on Wednesday, July 12. It will be the Cardinals' All-You-Can-Eat Night, as fans can purchase a special wristband and enjoy all-you-can-eat on select food items.
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.

[Empty Body]