BRISTOL, Va. – It wasn’t nearly as impressive as the 21-0 shellacking they administered to the Greeneville Astros on Thursday night. Yet, it was still a quality win for the Bristol White Sox.
Bristol pounded out 10 hits against three strong Greeneville pitchers, while BriSox starting pitcher Ryan Buch and two relievers combined on a two-hitter in a 5-1 Appalachian League triumph over the
Astros on Friday night at DeVault Stadium.
Bristol (5-6) claimed its third straight victory, while pinning the loss on highly-touted Greeneville pitcher Michael Foltynewicz.
Foltynewicz was selected by the Houston Astros with the 19th overall selection in last month’s MLB Amateur Draft. He suffered the first defeat of his professional career on Friday, yielding two runs on
two hits in two innings of work. He walked one, struck out two and hit two batters.
Foltynewicz (0-1, 6.00 ERA) was hurt by an RBI groundout by Dan Black in the bottom of the first inning and Jordan Keegan’s RBI single in the second.
“We knew that there was a first-rounder coming in and that’s what we were preparing for,” Keegan said. “We’ve faced great guys like that before. We just have to jump on them quick.”
Bristol added two runs against Greeneville reliever Garrett Bullock, who hadn’t allowed a run in 6 2/3 innings entering the game. The Sox also tagged reliever Ryan Cole for a run.
Keegan once again provided a spark for the Sox from the leadoff spot, going 2-for-5 with two RBIs and raising his batting average to .361. John Spatola and Michael Schwartz added two hits apiece.
Bristol has scored a combined 35 runs in its last three games.
“Just work ethic man,” Keegan said. “We’re out here every day before games and we’re practicing and we’re in the cage hitting with Jerry Hairston, our hitting coach and he’s making everything clear for
us and breaking it down. We’re all listening and getting the hang of it.”
The support was more than enough for Buch to claim his first win of the season. Buch (1-1, 2.65 ERA) allowed one hit and struck out seven in six innings. Ethan Icard and Kevin Rath closed out the win
in relief.
“I was a little nervous [after Thursday’s 21-run outburst] and told them to save some hits for [Friday],” Buch said with a smile. “But they showed up tonight and they backed me up. I’m grateful for that.”
Buch was strictly used out of the bullpen last summer while pitching for the rookie-level Great Falls (Mont.) Voyagers. He’s made a smooth transition from starter to reliever.
“I’m settling in slowly,” Buch said. “I’m starting to get used to the starting routine. Everything’s worked out pretty well.”
There were plenty of smiles in the Bristol locker room following the game.
“Coming into this series, that’s a great staff and [Greeneville] was really playing well,” said Bristol manager Ryan Newman. “It gives us something to build on and hopefully we continue to build on that
tomorrow.”
NOTES: Tennessee High graduate Marcus Nidiffer started at first base for Greeneville and went 0-for-4. He’s 0-for-7 in his first two games back in Bristol. … Bristol relief pitcher Christopher Zagyi and catcher Dylan Tonneson were recently released. … It was a rough night for Bristol shortstop Tyler Saladino, who was 0-for-4 at the plate and committed two errors in the field. … The teams conclude the three-game series tonight. The ever-popular fireworks display follows the game.
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