Late rally falls short for Yankees in loss to Cardinals

JOHNSON CITY, Tn – The Pulaski Yankees loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth inning down by two runs, but were unable to score the tying run in a 4-3 defeat to the Johnson City Cardinals on Monday Night. Juan De Leon tallied his second homer of the season in the loss.

For the first time in Pulaski Yankees history dating back to 2015, the Johnson City Cardinals grabbed two-of-three games in a three-game set. The Yankees scored first in the top half of the second inning thanks to Juan De Leon’s second long ball of the season. After Mickey Gasper reached base, De Leon went yard to left center field off Cardinals’ Dionis Zamora to give Pulaski a 2-0 lead. 

In the bottom half of the second, Johnson City answered back with a two-run bomb of their own. On a 3-1 hitter’s count, Kevin Woodall Jr. went deep off Pedro Espinola with Nolan Gorman on base. Two innings later, the Cardinals grabbed a 4-2 lead. With runners on the corners, Jonatan Machado doubled home Woodall, and advanced Michael Perri to third base. Later in the half-inning, Perri scored after Donivan Williams recorded a fielder’s choice but advanced to second base on an Oswald Peraza throwing error. 

Espinola exited the game in the fourth inning after 3.1 innings completed, allowing four runs, all earned on three hits, four walks and four strikeouts. Luis Ojeda and Brett Morales worked a scoreless 4.2 innings in relief and allowed three hits combined through the remainder of the game.

Pulaski loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth inning, but the rally was foiled after Mickey Gasper grounded into a run scoring double play, and De Leon struck out to end the ballgame. 

The Pulaski Yankees return to Motor Mile Field at Calfee Park Tuesday, July 10 for the start of a four-game set against the Bristol Pirates. Enjoy Taco Tuesday with $2 tacos brought to you by MasTec & Virginia 811, as well as Faith Night, sponsored by Shively Electric. Bring a church bulletin to the ticket window and receive free admission to the game. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. and gates open at 5:30. Ticket information is available on the web at pulaskiyankees.net.