Twins fall to Reds in the season finale, 7-3
Published 12:01 am Friday, August 30, 2019
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Star Photo/Larry N. Souders The Twins Charles Mack is out by half a step as he tries to beat out an infield single in the bottom of the third.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders The Twins Trevor Jensen slides into third with a triple, his second of the season, ahead of the throw with one out to left center field in the bottom of the second inning.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders Twins shortstop Will Holland is waiting at the bag to tag out Greeneville’s Garrett Wolforth as he tries to steal second base in the top of the first.
BY ALLEN LAMOUNTAIN
STAR CORRESPONDENT
There will be no three-peat in the Appalachian League championship for the Elizabethton Twins in 2019 as they dropped a 7-3 decision to Greeneville on Wednesday at Northeast Community Credit Union Ball Park and were eliminated from playoff contention.
Lefty Ryley Widell got the start for the Twins (33-34) and he did not fare well in his six innings of work as he gave up four runs (all earned) on seven hits to fall to 2-7 with a 6.50 earned run average.
Widell walked just one and struck out seven but was touched for a three-run second frame when Caleb Van Blake hit a one-out single and came around to score on Danielito Remy’s first home run of the season – a towering shot over the high leftfield fence – to stake the baby Redlegs to a 2-0 lead.
The inning wasn’t yet over however as one out later Hunter Oliver doubled to left and Fidel Castro struck an RBI single to plate Oliver for a 3-0 Greeneville lead.
“It’s all about development,” Twins manager Ray Smith said. “You want to win sure, but the main goal here and it may be different for other organizations that keep core players together for the entire year.
“That’s not us. If there is an opening at a level higher and there is a need and the player is doing well, he’s gone, and we move forward with what we have.”
The Twins got a run back in the last of the frame when Trevor Jensen doubled and shortstop Will Holland singled him in to make it a 3-1 game.
In the fourth, the Reds struck for another run against Widell when Jose Tello singled and Van Blake doubled him home for a 4-1 Greeneville advantage.
Infielder / designated hitter Charlie Mack crushed a two-run bomb over the scoreboard in right-centerfield to close the gap to 4-3 in the last of the fifth but Greeneville relief pitchers scattered four hits over the last four frames to secure the win.
Lefthander Jacques Pucheu pitched a fine game over five innings giving up three runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out five before giving way to Anthony Zimmerman in the sixth.
In the eighth, the Reds got to Twins reliever Frandy Torres for three insurance runs with Oliver reaching on a single.
A throwing error by Torres, on a comebacker to the mound, allowed Castro to reach and Oliver was safe at second as Torres throw handcuffed Holland and both runners were safe.
Ranser Amador dropped a sacrifice bunt down to move the runners up and the Twins intentionally walked Garret Wolforth to load the bases and one out later Tello unloaded them with a three-run triple to centerfield to give the Reds a 7-3 lead.
After the game, Smith had some good news for infielder Anthony Prato, left-handed reliever Denny Bentley and third baseman Seth Gray that all three were promoted to Cedar Rapids to bolster the Kernels roster for the playoffs.
“I’m just glad to keep playing,” Gray said. “I want to keep playing as long as I can. I’m grateful for the opportunity the organization has given me and I want to make the most of it.
“We didn’t have the kind of season here that we wanted but there was a lot of player movement and that is what the coaches and Ray preach here.
“Make the most of every opportunity you get because you never know how many you get.”
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Greeneville 7-3
Greeneville 030 100 030 – 7 9 0
E-Twins 010 002 000 – 3 9 1
W – Pucheu (2-0). L – Widell (2-7)
