India, Reds' bats sink Bucs, 12-6, in front of 3,318

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. -- The Force was strong with the Reds on Star Wars Night. 3B Jonathan India led the charge with a three-hit, four-RBI night, as Greeneville steamrolled the Bristol Pirates, 12-6, in front of 3,318 fans at Pioneer Park on Saturday night.
With the win, Greeneville captured just their third series-opening win of the season, improving to 8-15 on the campaign. Bristol's loss was their third-straight, as they fell to 11-13.
After the Pirates grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first on a run-scoring groundout, the Redlegs exploded with a six-run bottom of the second.
1B Rylan Thomas (1-5, R, 2B, 2 SO) doubled and C Hunter Oliver (1-3, 2 R) singled to start the frame. After a fly out moved Thomas to third, RF Brian Rey (1-5, R, RBI) slapped a run-scoring single to center to tie the game at one. Following a walk that loaded the bases, DH Jose Tello (1-4, R, 2 RBI, SO) scalded a two-run single to left, giving the Reds a 3-1 lead. 
With two outs in the frame, India (3-5, 2 R, 3B, 4 RBI) popped a two-run triple over the center fielder's head to extend the Greeneville advantage to 5-1. On the very next pitch, 2B Jonathan Willems (2-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, SO) blasted a double down the left field line to score India and stretch the early lead to five, 6-1.
Bristol scored a pair in the fourth on a pair of singles by C Gabriel Brito (1-3, R, RBI, BB) and SS Victor Ngoepe (2-5, 2 R, RBI, SO) to trim the deficit to 6-3, but Greeneville answered right back in the bottom of the frame - making it 7-3 - with an RBI single to center by India.
The Redlegs kept the offensive onslaught rolling in the sixth. SS Miguel Hernandez (2-2, 4 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB) led off the inning with an infield single and moved to second on an errant pickoff throw. India continued his impressive home debut, as with two outs he banged a single through the right-side to score Hernandez to put the Reds back up five, 8-3. Willems once again delivered following the No. 5 overall pick, ripping a run-scoring double to left, making it a 9-3 affair.
A two-run top of the seventh brought the Bucs back within four - 9-5 - courtesy of a passed ball and a sacrifice fly to right by LF Brendt Citta (1-4, 2 RBI), yet, once again, the Reds responded with an even bigger tally in the bottom of the inning.
With men at second and third and one out, Hernandez poked a single through the hole between third and short for a two-run knock, giving the Reds an 11-5 edge. One batter later, CF Mike Siani (1-4, 2B, RBI, BB, SO) clocked an RBI double to left. The run-scoring, two-bagger marked the first run batted in of the fourth-round selection's career, giving Greeneville a 12-5 cushion.
A sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Jeremias Portorreal (0-0, RBI) added a final tally in the ninth, but RHP Johnnie Schneider (1.0 IP, H, R) got a pop out to third to end the contest and seal the victory.
LHP Jacob Heatherly (4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) battled through some command issues to toss four innings of three-run ball. Over his last three starts, the 20-year-old has yet to win but has managed an impressive 3.00 ERA (3 ER in 12.0 IP). Succeeding him out of the bullpen was RHP Moises Nova (2.0 IP, SO). The 22-year-old rehabber retired all six men he faced to earn his first win of the year.
After three-straight wins, Bristol's LHP Roger Santana (3.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO) was roughed up on Saturday. The left-hander issued a season-worst seven runs, suffering his second defeat of the campaign.
Greeneville will go for their first home-series victory on Sunday night, as the reigning Appalachian League Pitcher of the Week - RHP Josiah Gray (1-1, 2.16 ERA) - is expected to make the start for the Reds. Bristol is slated to counter with RHP Collin Selby (0-1, 2.61 ERA).
The G-Reds Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 4:45 p.m. ET, leading up to the 5:00 p.m. ET start at Pioneer Park. Sunday evening's contest can be heard on GreenevilleReds.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps. 
Season and single-game tickets are still available and can be purchased online at GreenevilleReds.com or by calling the Reds' Ticket Office at (423) 609-7400.