Thomas powers Reds past Pulaski, 5-3

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. -- 1B Rylan Thomas continued his assault on Appalachian League pitching blasting a go-ahead RBI double in the fifth and adding a solo home run in the eighth, as the Greeneville Reds knocked off the Pulaski Yankees, 5-3, in front 2,177 fans at Pioneer Park on Saturday night.
With the win, the Redlegs have now won four straight at home and have taken four of their last five series, improving to 16-20 on the year. Pulaski's loss drops them to 16-22.
Tied at two in the fifth, 3B Claudio Finol (1-3, R, BB, SO) reached on an infield single to third. With two outs, Thomas (2-3, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB) cranked a drive over the center fielder's head. Finol scored easily, while Thomas was tagged out after sliding past the bag at third, giving the Reds a 3-2 lead.
Greeneville added two key insurance runs in the eighth. Thomas dug in and unloaded on a 1-0 offering to deep, straightaway center. The clout smacked halfway up the batter's eye for a solo home run - his ninth of the year - to extend the squad's lead to two, 4-2. Following a walk to C Hunter Oliver (0-3, R, BB, SO) and a single by RF Reniel Ozuna (1-3, BB, SO), the Reds had men at first and third. A 1-1 delivery was spiked in the dirt and went to the backstop, the 20-year-old scored easily from third on the passed ball, extending the lead to 5-2.
The Yankees would rally in the ninth, but could not even the tide. A hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch put a man at second and a single and error off the bat of 2B David Metzger (2-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 SO) pulled Pulaski within a pair, 5-3. After another free pass, RHP Johnnie Schneider (0.2 IP, SO) entered and closed the door. The 21-year-old got a pop up to center and a striking out swinging to end the contest, sealing his first professional save.
Pulaski jumped out to an early lead thanks to a home run in the second. DH Carlos Tatis (1-4, R) singled and with two away Metzger pummeled a ball off the electronic scoreboard in the left. The two-run shot - the first of his professional career - put the Yankees ahead 2-0.
In the third, Greeneville was able to knot it up. DH Justin Bellinger (1-3, R, 2B, SO) started the rally with a double to left-center and a pair of walks loaded the bases. A double play ground ball made it a one-run affair and - on the very next pitch - a passed ball allowed the tying run to cross the dish.
RHP Miguel Medrano (5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 SO) pieced together his second straight solid start, hurling five innings of two-run ball to earn his first win as a member of the Reds organization.
RHP Wellington Diaz (3.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, SO) yielded three runs in relief for the Yankees, suffering his first loss of the season. It was an up-and-down start for RHP Luis Gil (4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, 4 BB, 5 SO) who struck out five and walked four in a no-decision.
Greeneville will attempt to complete their first sweep in franchise history on Sunday evening, as RHP A.J. Moore (2-0, 3.94 ERA) is expected to make his first professional start for the Reds. Pulaski is expected to counter with RHP Pedro Barrios (1-0, 5.40 ERA)
The G-Reds Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 4:45 p.m. ET, leading up to the 5:00 p.m. ET start at Pioneer Park. Sunday night contest can be heard on GreenevilleReds.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps. 

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.