Wood lays lumber, as Cardinals best Astros, 6-3

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - DH Wood Myers  has shown no issues with adapting to professional baseball. The recent draftee racked up three hits - including two doubles - and a RBI, as the Johnson City Cardinals earned their third straight win with a 6-3 triumph over the Greeneville Astros on Wednesday night in front of 1,978 fans at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
With the win, the Cardinals improve to 5-2 on the young season. Greeneville's loss snaps their three-game winning streak and drops them to 4-3 on the year.
Johnson City wasted no time jumping out of the gates to an early lead. Myers (3-5, R, 2 2B, RBI, SO) smacked a one-out double to right-center and scored on a single up the middle by RF Wadye Ynfante (2-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB, SO), putting the Redbirds ahead, 1-0.
The Cardinals would add three more to their docket in the fourth. LF Carlos Talavera (1-3, 2 R, 2B, BB) and SS Starlin Balbuena (1-4, R, 2B, RBI) ignited the inning with back-to-back doubles, giving the Birds a 2-0 advantage. Following a ground out, 2B Irving Lopez (2-4, R, RBI, SO) cranked a RBI single to right to make it a 3-0 affair. Myers would add another two-bagger - this time a run-scoring one - to left with two down to extend it to 4-0 Cardinals.
Johnson City managed to add insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Ahead 4-2, Ynfante reached on a two-out walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. After stealing third, 3B Brady Whalen (0-2, BB, SO) got aboard on a free pass of his own. The switch-hitter broke for second base with 1B Luis Bandes (0-4, SO) at the plate. On the throw down, Ynfante sprinted towards the dish and stole home, putting the Cards up, 5-2.
C Cameron Knight (1-3, 2B, RBI, BB, SO) added the final blow in the bottom of the eight, lacing a RBI double down the right field line for his first professional run batted in.
Greeneville scratched across two runs in the sixth and one more in the eighth. 1B Roman Garcia 's (1-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, SO) cranked a two-run blast - the first of his pro career - and C Martin Figueroa (1-3, RBI, BB) slapped a run-scoring single - the first hit and RBI of his career.
RHP Franyel Casadilla (4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 SO) did not earn a decision in his first start of the year for Johnson City. The 20-year-old did not allow a run on three hits over four innings of work. RHP Jake Walsh (1.0 IP, 2 BB, SO) - who relieved him in the fifth - earned his first pro win in his debut, tossing a scoreless frame of relief. LHP Jacob Patterson (1.1 IP, H, 3 SO) struck out three and recorded the final four outs of the game to garner his first professional save.
LHP Tim Hardy (2.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, BB, SO) - who attended nearby Tusculum College - suffered the loss in his first pro start, surrendering just one run on two hits in two innings of work.
Myers (3-5, R, 2 2B, RBI, SO) was the ring-leader of the Redbirds' offense, accruing a game-high three hits. Ynfante (2-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB, SO) and Lopez (2-4, R, RBI, SO) each earned their second straight multi-hit games in the victory, as well.

The Cardinals continue their six-game homestand with game two against the Astros on Thursday evening. RHP Edwar Ramirez  (1-0, 1.80 ERA) is expected to take the mound for Johnson City. Greeneville will projected to counter with LHP Noel Pinto  (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
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. Thursday 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 Coors Light Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark, featuring draft beer drink specials for as low as one dollar. It will also be Young Professionals Night out on The Perch presented by CITI.
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.