Yankees top Cardinals in finale, 7-1

LHP Jacob Schlesener strikes out career-high nine in defeat

LHP Jacob Schlesener struck out a career-high nine in five innings, but the Johnson City Cardinals fell to the Pulaski Yankees, 7-1, on Monday night at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. (Bret Jacomet)

By Justin Rocke

July 3, 2017

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - LHP Jacob Schlesener punched out a career-high nine batters over five innings, but Pulaski's offense was too much to handle, as the Yankees knocked off the Johnson City Cardinals, 7-1, on Monday night in front of 3,549 fans at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.With the loss, the Cardinals drop their

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - LHP Jacob Schlesener punched out a career-high nine batters over five innings, but Pulaski's offense was too much to handle, as the Yankees knocked off the Johnson City Cardinals, 7-1, on Monday night in front of 3,549 fans at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
With the loss, the Cardinals drop their first series of the 2017 season and fall to 7-5 on the season. With the win, Pulaski improves their record to an Appalachian League-best 9-3.
Pulaski jumped out to the lead in the third inning and never looked back. CF Pablo Olivares (1-3, 2B, BB) doubled down the left-field line with one out to set the stage for RF Steven Sensley (1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB SO). The left-handed slugger hammered a two-run homer to right to put the Yankees ahead, 2-0.
The Yanks added insurance with a run in the sixth and four more in the seventh.
1B Andres Chaparro (2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 2 SO) started the sixth with a double to left-center and came around to score following a single by LF Bryan Emery (1-4) and a throwing error, making it 3-0 Pulaski.
In the seventh, the Yankees made it a 7-0 contest on a bases-loaded double play, a RBI single by 3B Dermis Garcia (1-4, R, RBI, BB, 2 SO) and a two-run blast to left by Chaparro.
Johnson City scored their only run in the bottom of the inning thanks to a single by C Julio Rodriguez (1-3, R) and a run-scoring triple into the right-center field gap by SS Delvin Perez (1-2, 3B, RBI, BB).
Schlesener (5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 9 SO) surrendered the two-run homer in the third but was brilliant otherwise. The 20-year-old punched out a career-best nine Yankees over five innings but suffered his first loss of the season.
RHP Carlos Espinal (4.2 IP, 4 H, R, ER, BB, 5 SO) took home the win in relief for Pulaski. The right-hander came on with one out in the third and hurled 4.2 frames of one-run ball for his first victory of the season. LHP Dalton Lehnen (2.1 IP, H, BB, 5 SO) started and struck out five in a no-decision.
Monday night's game was initially delayed an hour and 41 minutes due to rain.

The Cardinals head to Greeneville to take on the Astros, the rookie affiliate of the Houston Astros, to start a seven-game road trip. RHP Franyel Casadilla (0-1, 1.29 ERA) is expected to take the mound for Johnson City. Greeneville has not yet named their starting pitcher for the series opener.
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 Pioneer Park. Tuesday evening's contest can be heard on NBCSportsTriCities.com, JCCardinals.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Following the road trip, the Cardinals will return to open up a three-game homestand against the Bristol Pirates, the rookie affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on Wednesday, July 12. It will be the Cardinals' All-You-Can-Eat Night, as fans can purchase a special wristband and enjoy all-you-can-eat on select food items.
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.