PULASKI - The Pulaski Blue Jays used a ninth-inning rally and a 10th-inning hit to defeat the Johnson City Cardinals 9-8 and seize back first place in the East Division of the Appalachian League.

Eugenio Velez started the game-winning rally in the bottom of the 10th with a walk. First baseman David Hicks followed with a shot to the left-center gap, sending Velez home with the winning run. "I was looking for something out over the plate," Hicks said. "He put it there and I got a good swing on it."

Hicks's winning double would not have been possible had Pulaski not put together a three-run ninth to send the game to an extra inning.

Trailing 8-5, Hicks started the surge in the ninth by reaching on a single. After a Yuber Rodriguez walk, the Blue Jays had runners on first and second with one out. Nick Thomas followed with a three-run homer.

"I got a high fastball and made a good swing," Thomas said.

The three-run homer pleased manager Gary Cathcart, who was frustrated because of Pulaski's inability to hold a lead.

"It worked out for us in the ninth," Cathcart said. "Nick puts up as good of an at-bat as anybody."

Pulaski led early after scoring runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings. A two-run third inning was capped by a Velez ground-rule double that scored leadoff hitter Mike Macaluso and a Rodriguez single to bring in Velez.

Johnson City countered with a few one-run innings and a three-run seventh to lead 6-5. In the ninth, the Cardinals added a couple of insurance runs, setting the stage for the Pulaski rally.

Pulaski starter Brian Grant went 4
innings, allowing one earned run on six hits. Aaron Tressler picked up his third win, pitching a scoreless 10th.

The win pushes the Blue Jays to an Appalachian League-best 28-18 and puts them a half-game up on the Danville Braves, who lost to the Burlington Indians 5-2.

Haberer, Siak (6), Jon (8), Grant (10) and Diaz; Grant, Rider (5), Sanchez (6), Cannon (7), Tressler (10) and Bormaster. WP-Tressler (3-1) LP-Grant (0-1). HR-Thomas (6).