Pirates steal one from Reds, 4-2

BRISTOL, Va. -- After a 47-minute delay due to potential rain, Greeneville received four hitless frames from RHP Josiah Gray , while RF Brian Rey reached base three times. However, the Bristol Pirates topped the Reds, 4-2, on Thursday night at Boyce Cox Field.
With the loss, Greeneville has now lost four straight and dropped two of their last 10 games, falling to 18-29 on the year. Bristol's triumph improved their mark to 22-25 and are now 2.5 back of Kingsport for the final playoff spot in the Western Division.
Scoreless after three, the Reds jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth. C Hunter Oliver (1-4, R, 2B, SO) doubled to lead off the inning and Rey (2-3, R, 2B, RBI) followed by mashing one into the right-center field gap. The 20-year-old chugged around to score on the two-base hit, putting Greeneville up 1-0. Two batters later, DH Edwin Yon (1-3, 2B, RBI, 2 SO) poked a double over the first-base bag and into the corner - scoring Rey - to make it a 2-0 contest.
The Bucs managed to get a run back in the bottom of the fourth despite not accruing a hit. Bristol managed to load the bases courtesy of a fielding error, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch. LF Brendt Citta (0-3, RBI, BB, SO) then drew a free pass on a 3-2 pitch to force home a run and cut the G-Reds advantage to one, 2-1.
It was in the fifth where the Pirates grabbed the lead for good. C Gabriel Brito (1-3, R, SO) singled to begin the frame and came across to score the tying run on a two-base throwing error. Following a strikeout, 2B Chase Lambert (0-3, RBI) slapped a fly ball into right-center. CF Mike Siani made a great diving catch, but SS Victor Ngoepe (0-3, R, SO) managed to tag and score from second on the play, giving the Bucs a 3-2 lead.
Bristol mustered the game's final tally in the top of the sixth, as DH Mikell Granberry (1-2, R) got aboard with an infield single and advanced to second on a groundout. 3B Dean Lockery (1-3, 2B, RBI, SO) would plop a two-out double into shallow left - scoring the runner - to give the BriBucs a two-run, 4-2, advantage.
RHP Allen Montgomery (1.0 IP) entered for the Pirates in the top of the ninth and retired Greeneville on only five pitches to end the game and seal his first professional save.
Neither starter received a decision on Thursday. Gray (4.0 IP, R, 3 BB, 7 SO) struck out a career-high seven and yielded only one unearned run over four frames. RHP Colin Selby (4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO) tied a career-best with eight punchouts for Bristol.
RHP Will Kobos (2.0 IP, H, BB, 3 SO) struck out three over two innings to garner his first pro victory for Bristol. It was a tough-luck loss for Reds RHP Justin McGregor (2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, ER, SO). The 22-year-old surrendered three runs (one earned), taking his first Appalachian League defeat.
The Reds will look to snap their losing skid on Friday with RHP Miguel Medrano (1-3, 7.39 ERA) expected to take the mound in game two. The Bucs are projected to counter with Pittsburgh's No. 13 prospect according to MLB.com - RHP Steven Jennings (2-3, 4.91 ERA).
The G-Reds 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 Boyce Cox Field. Friday evening's contest can be heard on GreenevilleReds.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps. 
Following the six-game road trip, the Redlegs will begin a three-game series against the Elizabethton Twins on Sunday, August 12. It will be a Sunday Funday at the ballpark with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.
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.