Rijo’s no-hit bid leads Yankees to series win

Luis Rijo tossed six no-hit innings in his first career Appalachian League start, and Saul Torres belted his first homer of the season to lead the Pulaski Yankees over the Burlington Royals, 4-0 on Saturday night at Motor Mile Field in Calfee Park.

Rijo was removed from the game after a final stat line of six innings pitched, no runs, no hits, no walks, five strikeouts on 68 pitches. He left the game as the pitcher of record on the strong side thanks to a home run by Saul Torres in the fifth inning. Torres went yard on the first pitch of his at bat, sending a fast ball over the left field wall for a solo shot. 

Pulaski added three more runs for breathing room in the seventh inning, all with two outs, extending their lead to 4-0. First, Robert Javier lined a shot over the second base bag and into right center field for a base hit to score Daniel Barrios and send Jordan Scott to third base. Scott later scored on a balk with Oswald Peraza batting. The following at bat, Everson Pereira opened the lead to four on a run scoring infield single to drive in Javier. 

Gilmael Troya went a successful two scoreless innings out of the Yankees bullpen, allowing Burlington’s only hit of the game to Jackson Lueck. Ron Marinaccio worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out a 4-0 Yankees win and their first series win of the season.

Pulaski improved their record to 4-7, while the Royals slid to 2-9 on the season. The Pulaski Yankees return to the field Sunday in Kingsport to begin a three game set against the Mets. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.