Thomas goes yard, as Reds end skid with 9-5 win

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - 1B Rylan Thomas drove in three runs and clubbed the first home run of his professional career, as the Greeneville Reds snapped a five-game losing streak with a 9-5 victory over the Johnson City Cardinals in front of 1,771 fans at Pioneer Park on Sunday night.
With the victory, the Reds improved their overall record to 4-7 on the season. The defeat snapped a two-game winning streak for Johnson City and dropped the Cardinals to 5-6 on the campaign.
For just the third time this season, Greeneville struck first with a four-run bottom of the opening frame. With the bases loaded and no one out, C Hunter Oliver (0-3, RBI, SO) lofted a sacrifice fly to center, putting the Reds ahead, 1-0. 2B Cash Case (1-4, R, 2 RBI, SO) followed with a knock up-the-middle that scored a pair, while a fielding error off the bat of 3B Juan Martinez (0-4, 2 SO) gave the G-Reds a 4-0 edge.
1B Dariel Gomez (2-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB) slammed a solo home run to center - his third of the year - to get Johnson City on the board in the second, but Greeneville earned that run back in the fourth.
Following a walk and a stolen base by RF Reniel Ozuna (1-3, 2 R, BB, SO), with two outs, Thomas (2-3, R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB) laced a double into the left-center field gap for his first pro base-hit to drive in the run and make it a 5-1 contest.
Johnson City pulled to within two, 5-3, as they added a run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to center by DH Carlos Soto (1-4, RBI, SO) and another in the seventh on a solo home run to left by LF Luis Flores (2-3, R, 2B, HR, RBI, BB).
That two-run deficit quickly ballooned back to five thanks to a three-run bottom of the seventh. After SS Miguel Hernandez (2-4, R, 2B, RBI) singled and scooted to third on a pair of wild pitches, Thomas uncorked a two-run shot over the left-center field wall for his first professional long ball, stretching Greeneville's lead back to four, 7-3. CF Brian Rey (1-4, 2 R) accounted for the final tally in the frame, as he was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on a wild pitch.
Immediately after the Redbirds trimmed the Redlegs lead back to three courtesy of a throwing error and a sacrifice fly to left by CF Brandon Riley (0-1, RBI, 3 BB), Greeneville added a key insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on a run-scoring double by Hernandez.
RHP Cory Heitler (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, SO) bounced back after yielding two unearned runs in the eight to induced a game-ending double play to seal the Reds' first win since June 23 and their first at home since June 21.
It was the best start of the young season for LHP Jacob Heatherly (4.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 4 SO) who completed a season-long four innings of work. RHP Johnnie Schneider (2.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB) - a day separated from his 21st birthday - hurled two innings of relief to garner his first pro win.
RHP Oneiver Diaz (6.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 7 SO) struck out seven and gave Johnson City good length in his start, but suffered his first defeat of the campaign.
The series shifts to Johnson City on Monday night, as RHP Ricky Karcher (0-1, 9.53 ERA) is projected to start the contest for Greeneville. Johnson City is expected to counter with the reigning Appalachian League Pitcher of the Week RHP Noel De Jesus (2-0, 1.50 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 TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Monday night's contest can be heard on GreenevilleReds.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps. 
Following the brief two-game road trip, the Reds will return to open up a three-contest set against the Danville Braves on Wednesday, July 4. Immediately after the conclusion of that evening's game, there will be a spectacular Postgame Fireworks Show as a part of Greeneville's Independence Day celebration.
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.