Rays blank Reds, 2-0, in pitcher's duel

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. -- SS Miguel Hernandez collected three hits and RHP Daniel De La Fuente tossed four innings of scoreless relief, but the Princeton Rays shutout the Greeneville Reds, 2-0, in front of 1,010 fans at Pioneer Park on Monday night.
With the loss, the Redlegs drop to 28-38 on the season. Princeton's victory improved their overall mark to 42-22 and clinched the Appalachian League Eastern Division title for the regular season.
The Rays wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, pushing a man across two batters into the game. 2B Jake Palomaki (2-3, R, 3B, BB) started the contest with a triple down the right-field line and scored on a groundout to short by SS Osmy Gregorio (1-4, RBI) to put the visitors ahead, 1-0.
It stayed that way until the fifth. LF Pedro Diaz (1-4, R, SO) and Palomaki each singled to ignite the rally. With men at the corners and two outs, a wild pitch allowed Diaz to scamper home to extend Princeton's advantage to two, 2-0.
Greeneville had a few chances to score - putting at least one man on base in every inning from the second to the eighth - but could not push a runner across.
RHP Josiah Gray (3.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB, 4 SO) yielded one run over his three scheduled innings of work and was saddled with his second defeat of the year. RHP A.J. Moore (2.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, SO) and De La Fuente (4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 SO) each looked good in relief, combining to allow one run over the game's final six innings.
It was a no-decision for RHP Miguel Lara (4.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 SO) who was lifted after four shutout innings to start for Princeton. RHP Juan Carlos Arias (3.0 IP, 2 H, 4 SO) struck out four over three innings to earn his fourth win of the season in relief. LHP Steffon Moore (2.0 IP, H, 3 SO) allowed just one baserunner over two frames to collect his fifth save.
The Redlegs will look to get back in the win column on Tuesday night, as RHP Miguel Medrano (2-3, 5.54 ERA) is scheduled to take the hill in game two. The Rays are slated to counter with RHP Wanderson Linares (2-2, 6.28 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 Pioneer Park. Tuesday evening's contest can be heard on GreenevilleReds.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps. 
It will be the final $2 Tuesday of the season. Fans can enjoy barbecue and Bojangles sandwiches, Pizza Inn pizza, sweet tea, and select beer options for just two dollars all night long.
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.