BRISTOL, Va. – Bristol White Sox relief pitcher Kevin Rath felt the wrath of the Appalachian League’s top power hitter on Thursday night.
Kingsport’s Aderlin Rodriguez smashed a two-run homer off Rath in the top of the eighth inning, putting the Mets ahead for good en route to an 8-3 victory over the BriSox at DeVault Stadium.
Rodriguez tacked on a mammoth three-run shot in the ninth inning against BriSox reliever Jamaal Hollis. He now has seven homers, tied for the Appy League lead.
“When he gets to the plate, he doesn’t get cheated,” said BriSox manager Ryan Newman. “He puts a good swing on it. We left some balls up in the zone and with a good hitter like that, he’s going to make you pay for it.”
It was a rare off night for Bristol (9-8), which entered Thursday’s game having won seven of eight.
The bullpen had been a key to the recent winning ways, but faltered. Rath (0-1, 5.14 ERA) suffered his first defeat after yielding four runs (three earned) on four hits over two innings.
Hollis was also roughed up.
“[The bullpen] has been doing as a whole, as a group, an outstanding job,” Newman said. “But hey, tonight they scored more runs than we did. Those guys will be right back on the bump tomorrow.”
Bristol starter Matthew Heidenreich deserved better after piecing together a fine performance.
He yielded only an unearned run in six efficient innings, striking out five and walking two. He left with a 2-1 lead, but the BriSox bullpen couldn’t hold the lead.
“I think we had some good plays behind me,” Heidenreich said. “That made it easy for me.”
Heidenreich has pitched well for most of the season. Three of his four starts have been quality, with the lone exception being a June 28 loss at Johnson City, when he gave up a six spot in the fifth inning en route to being tagged with the defeat.
“It was an inning and it was a tough one,” Heidenreich said. “But I really feel like I’ve pitched well. Our team fights, and we’re a great team.”
Dan Black, Michael Schwartz and Rangel Ravelo each had two hits at the plate for Bristol.
NOTES: The final game of the three-game set is tonight at 7 p.m. in Bristol. … The teams combined to turn four double plays, all in the first three innings. … Bristol relief pitcher Chase Cooney was recently promoted to Low-Class A Kannapolis (N.C.). … The eight runs by Kingsport were the second-most the BriSox have allowed in a game this season. … Bristol went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.
thayes@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Hayes_BHCSports | (276) 645-2570
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