Redbirds bats keep rolling, best Braves, 8-5

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Cardinals jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first and never looked back, as RHP Alvaro Seijas struck out a career-high-tying eight en route to Johnson City's 8-5 triumph over the Danville Braves in front of 1,081 fans at TVA Credit Union Ballpark on Sunday night.
With the win, the Redbirds captured their second consecutive series and improved to 14-17 on the season. Danville dropped back below .500 with the loss, falling to 15-16 on the campaign.
Johnson City's offense started to roll right out of the gate with CF Chase Pinder (3-4, 3 R, RBI) and LF Wadye Ynfante (2-3, 2 R, 2B, BB) reaching on singles and moving up to second and third on an error. On a 3-2 pitch, 1B Luis Bandes (1-3, 2B, 3 RBI) smashed a rocket off the right-field wall. Both runners scored on the double to give the Redbirds a 2-0 lead.
The Cardinals added another run in the third, as Pinder singled and scooted to second on a ground out. On a fly out to right by Bandes, the 21-year-old tagged and moved to third. A missed catch error allowed Pinder to score on the play, stretching the advantage to 3-1.
After Danville got a run back with a solo home run by 3B Drew Lugbauer (2-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, SO) in the fourth, Johnson City tallied three in the bottom of the fifth. 
SS Irving Lopez (1-4, R, 2B, SO) smashed a one-out double to left to start the rally and Pinder brought him home with a single to left, giving the Redbirds a 4-1 lead. Following a two-bagger by Ynfante, a wild pitch and sacrifice fly to right by Bandes added two more tallies to the docket, putting Johnson City in the lead, 6-1.
In the sixth, the Cardinals pushed two more across. DH Jonathan Rivera (2-4, R, 2B) and C Alexis Wilson (1-4, R, 2B, RBI, SO) started the inning with back-to-back doubles to make it a 7-1 contest. 2B J.D. Murders (0-3, RBI) extended the advantage to seven with a sacrifice fly to left.
The D-Braves rallied back, but could not pull closer than three. Danville added three in the seventh on an error, a sacrifice fly to center by RF Garrison Schwartz (1-3, RBI) and a bases-loaded walk to SS Kevin Maitan (1-4, RBI, BB), trimming their deficit to 8-4.
The Braves loaded the bases and earned a run in the top of the ninth, but LHP Jacob Patterson (0.2 IP, SO) recorded the game's final two outs to seal the victory and his Appalachian League-leading seventh save of the year.
RHP Alvaro Seijas (6.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO) hurled the longest start of the season for Johnson City, going 6.2 innings. The 18-year-old tied a career-best with eight punch outs to earn his second win of the campaign.
Danville's LHP Dilmer Mejia (5.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 SO) surrendered a season-worst six runs (five earned) and eight hits, suffering his second loss of the campaign.
Pinder (3-4, 3 R, RBI) continued his hot stretch, collecting a game-high three base-hits and a run batted in. Ynfante (2-3, 2 R, 2B, BB) posted his third consecutive multi-hit game for the Redbirds, while Bandes (1-3, 2B, 3 RBI) mustered his sixth multi-RBI game of the campaign.
The Cardinals continue their six-game homestand on Monday, as they welcome the Burlington Royals, the rookie affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, to town. RHP Johan Oviedo  (1-1, 5.96 ERA) - St. Louis' No. 25 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com - is expected to take the ball for Johnson City in the series' lid-lifter. Burlington is projected to counter with RHP Carlos Hernandez (1-1, 4.56 ERA) on Monday.
The Cardinals 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 TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Monday evening's contest can be heard on NBCSportsTriCities.com, JCCardinals.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps. 
It will be a Dollar Monday at the ballpark, as fans will be able to purchase hot dogs, popcorn, candy, soda, Dr. Enuf and Natural Light beer for just one dollar. Students, faculty and alumni of Northeast State Community College are also encouraged to join in on the fun for Northeast State Night.
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.