Redbirds three-run first sparks 4-2 win over K-Mets

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Despite an 11 a.m. start, the Cardinals' bats were awake early, as Johnson City struck for three runs in the first and never looked back, defeating the Kingsport Mets, 4-2, to capture the rubber match of the series on Tuesday afternoon at Hunter Wright Stadium.
With the win, the Redbirds have won two in-a-row and move to 4-2 on the young season. The series victory gives them two straight to start the year for the second consecutive season. Kingsport drops to 3-2 with the loss.
CF Wadye Ynfante (3-5, R, 2B, 2 SO) started the game on the right foot, as he banged a lead-off double to right. Following a walk to 2B J.D. Murders (0-4, R, B, 3 SO) and strike out, 1B Carlos Rodriguez (0-3, R, 3 SO) was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
C Julio Rodriguez (3-4, R, RBI) got Johnson City on the board by dropping a single into shallow center. Ynfante scored to put the Cardinals ahead, 1-0. DH Luis Bandes (1-3, RBI) proceeded to bring home another tally by lofting a sacrifice fly to right, extending the advantage to 2-0. LF Walker Robbins (1-4, RBI) capped off the three-run frame with a run-scoring knock to left.
That was all the run support the Cardinals' pitching staff needed, as they held the K-Mets scoreless until the eighth inning.
LHP Jacob Schlesener (4.2 IP, 4 H, BB, 4 SO) did not earn the win - being removed with two on and two out in the fifth - but was impressive in his first start of the year. The 20-year-old walked just one and did not allow a run over 4.2 frames.
LHP Brett Seeburger (2.1 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 SO) entered in relief to make his professional debut and quelled the Kingsport threat. The southpaw earned his first professional victory, hurling 2.1 innings of scoreless, two-hit ball.
Johnson City managed to add a key insurance in the top of the eighth. Still ahead 3-0, Julio Rodriguez and Bandes started the inning with back-to-back singles. After a fielder's choice, RF Jonathan Rivera (0-3, RBI, SO) slapped a sacrifice fly to center to extend the Baby Birds' advantage to 4-0.
Kingsport tallied their only two runs in the bottom of the frame. With one on and one out, CF Anthony Dirocie (1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, SO) clubbed a two-run homer over the wall in left-center - his second of the year - to pull the Mets to within 4-2.
That was as close as they would get, as RHP Thomas St. Clair (1.0 IP, H, 2 SO) closed the door. The Lenoir-Rhyne product struck out the final two batters of the game to seal the win and his first professional save.
Ynfante (3-5, R, 2B, 2 SO) and Julio Rodriguez (3-4, R, RBI) each collected a game-high-tying three hits, while 2B Wood Myers (2-4, SO) recorded his first professional multi-hit game in the Cardinals' victory.

The Cardinals return home to open up a six-game homestand against the Greeneville Astros, rookie league affiliate of the Houston Astros, on Wednesday night. RHP Franyel Casadilla (0-1, 3.00 ERA) is expected to make his first start of the year for Johnson City. Greeneville has not yet named their starting pitcher.
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. Wednesday evening's contest can be heard on NBCSportsTriCities.com, JCCardinals.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps. 
It will be the club's Salute to Scrubs Night in Johnson City, featuring special food and ticket discounts for hospital and medical staff.
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.