MiLB Cardinals ... R-Johnson City nipped by Kingsport in extra innings

KINGSPORT, TN--St. Louis Cardinals' rookie league affiliate Johnson City (R) were unable to climb a rung of the ladder out of last place in the Appalachian League's Western Division, remaining 7 full games behind first place Elizabethton. The JC Cardinals are only a 1/2-game out of fifth, 1 game out of fourth, and 1 1/2 games out of third.

The JC Cardinals record to date is 12-14.

In yesterdays game at Hunter Wright Field, the JC Cards fell 7-6 to the Kingsport Mets in 12 innings.

After falling behind 6-1 by the end of three innings, the rookie league Cards scored two in the seventh, and in the ninth, three more to tie the game at 6-6. In the bottom of the 12th, the Mets scored when a ball deflected off the glove of pitcher Joel Pichardo.

Who did well?

Alex Castellanos went 3-for-5, hitting two home runs and collecting four RBIs. His three-run homer in the ninth gave the Cards a chance to win in extra innings.

Travis Mitchell went 2-for-3 with a triple. The extra-basehit was an integral part of the Cards' comeback, coming in the seventh inning.

Samuel Freeman pitched well in middle relief, allowing only one hit in three innings of work.