Princeton Rays drop season finale to Greeneville Astros

The Game: The Princeton Rays lost their season finale 6-2 against the Greeneville Astros on Tuesday night at Pioneer Park. The Astro took the lead in the home half of the first inning. Grant Hogue drew a walk to lead off the inning. Jiovanni Mier followed with an RBI triple to score Hogue. Mier later scored on an RBI single by Aaron Bray to put the Astros ahead 2-0.

Princeton hit the scoreboard in the third inning. Daniel Rhault and Ty Morrison got things started with back to back singles. Then Seth Henry drew a walk to load the bases. Cody Rogers drew a bases loaded walk to push across Novas, cutting the lead in half 2-1.

Greenville matched the run in the bottom of the inning. Grant Hogue reached first after being hit by a pitch. Hogue then stole second and advanced to third as the throw from the catcher sailed into the outfield. Jiovanni Mier followed with a sac fly to score Hogue and increase the Astros lead to 3-1.

The Astros added another run in the fifth inning on a solo home run by Bubby Williams. Then two more runs in the seventh inning. Oscar Figueroa singed on a line drive to left and later scored on an RBI double by Bubby Williams. Bubby Williams advanced to third on a wild pitch. Jiovanni Mier followed with an RBI single to put the Astros ahead 6-1.

The Rays scored another run in the ninth inning. Julio Cedeno double to left to get things started. Jason Patton followed with a single that advanced Cedeno to third. Then Tomas Francisco drove home the run with an RBI single to short. But it wasn’t enough as the Rays fell to the Astros 6-2.

Trevor Shull suffered the loss, pitching 3 innings and allowing 3 runs on 3 hits with a strikeout and a walk. Jeff Cinadr pitched 3 innings and allowed a run on 4 hits with a strikeout. Tyler Oakes followed with a 1/3 inning appearance in which he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits. Matt Stabelfeld pitched the final 1 2/3 innings and did not allow a run or hit and recorded 1 strikeout. Angel Gonzalez was the winning pitcher for Greeneville.

What Went Right: Ty Morrison; 2 for 3 with a walk.

What Went Wrong: Tyler Oakes; surrendered 2 runs on 3 hits in only 1/3 of an inning.

A Look Ahead: The Rays have concluded the 2009 season.