ORLANDO, Florida- The Junior National Team opened their Fall Instructional League Camp with a 5-2 loss to the Houston Astros. Some fine pitching performance kept the game close until the Astros pulled away with two runs in the eighth inning to take a three run lead.
Justin Atkinson (Surrey, BC) doubled with one out in the top of the first inning to move Kyle Hann (Oakville, ON) to third base. After a strikeout, Justin Marra (Toronto, ON) singled home Hann to give the JNT a 1-0 lead.
Tom Robson (Ladner, BC) started on the mound for the JNT and pitched a scoreless first inning before giving up a run in the second. With two out and a runner on second, a single that bounced off Robson’s leg scored the runner which tied the game at one.
Robson would give up another run in the third inning before his day ended which came off a wild-pitch that scored a runner from third base. Robson finished the day going three innings and giving up two runs, on two hits, walking two and striking out one batter.
The Astros picked up right where they left off in the fourth inning by adding another run to increase their lead to 3-1. Skylar Janisse (Maidstone, ON) replaced Robson and gave up the run after a leadoff single followed by a hit and run that scored the runner from first base. Janisse would retire the next two batters to end the frame. Janisse would go on to pitch a scoreless fifth inning.
The JNT cut the lead to 3-2 by scoring a run in the sixth inning to get back into the game. Damion Smith (Windsor, ON) was hit by a pitch and Brian Doran (London, ON) and Hann followed with walks to load the bases. Atkinson then grounded into a fielder’s choice which scored Smith from third. The JNT continued to threaten in the inning when Dustin Houle (Penticton, BC) walked, but a double play would halt any more scoring.
Clayton Isherwood (Van Anda, BC) and Logan Seifrit (Spruce Grove, AB) held the Astros off the scoreboard in the sixth and seventh innings to keep their team within one run.
In the eighth however, the Astros got to pitcher Nicholas Pivetta (Victoria, BC) with two runs to take a 5-2 lead. With two out, Pivetta gave up a single, a walk and the Astros stole two bases before another single produced the two runs.
Notes: Next up for the JNT will be a doubleheader on October 17th beginning at 11am ET against China followed by a 3pm ET matinee against Seminole CC. Jesen Dygestile-Therrien (Montréal, QC) will start against China while Michael Foster (Pickering, ON) will get the nod against Seminole CC.
