BY NASH ARMSTRONG

Sports Writer

Fresh chalk on the base lines. Newly cut Bermuda grass covering the field. Fans packing the stands. This can only mean one thing in Greeneville.

The Greeneville Astros are back in town.

While the Astros started out their season up the interstate in Kingsport, Greeneville returned to 2,023 fans awaiting the official start of summer Friday night at Pioneer Park.

The Astros scored four runs early in the contest, and played their part in the field, holding off the visiting Danville Braves to win the home opener, 4-3.

Astros (3-1) manager Rodney Linares said the win felt great, giving the fans what they deserved after last year's season of 17-51.

"If feels great, especially after last year," he said. "We didn't have a good year last year, and I think the fans deserve a good year this year."

Greeneville scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the third inning. After right fielder Nathan Metroka lead off with a hit to right field, the Astros looked as though the runner may go for nothing as catcher Frederico Hernandez popped up to left field.

The Astros gained a little more momentum after shortstop Jorge De Leon was hit by the next pitch. It looked as if Danville (3-1) had an easy exit out of the inning on a tailor-made double play ground ball to short stop Shayne Moody. Moody, however, misjudged the play, and loaded the bases in the process.

Greeneville's Jose Altuve stepped up to the plate, looking to capitalize on the mistake. Altuve hit a slow roller to Moody, who made the out at second, but Altuve beat out the attempt at the double-up, scoring Metroka.

With runners on first and third and two outs, left fielder Renzo Tello singled up the middle, scoring De Leon, putitng the Astros up 2-0.

Designated hitter Frank Almonte kept the inning going with a single to left, scoring both Altuve and Tello, giving the Astros a 4-0 advantage.

Linares accredited the early spark to the team's dedication to playing full nine innings.

"The guys all get behind each other, and we all understand that we have to play nine innings," he said. "Not four, not five, we have to play the full game."

The Braves came up in the top half of the fourth inning, looking to cut into the Astros quick lead. Second basemen Joel Campusano started off the rally by putting the ball in play, forcing an Altuve error, Greeneville's only fielding miscue of the contest. Center fielder L.V. Ware and first baseman Gerardo Rodiquez had back-to-back singles, scoring Campusano. After Rodriquez moved to second on the throw-in from center field, the Braves had runners on second and third with no outs.

Astros pitcher Jose Trinidad calmed a bit of the Braves excitement, striking out the next batter, but gave up an infield single to the Chris Shehan, scoring Ware.

De Leon, however, made a diving play, keeping the ball in the infield, and minimizing the damage. Trinidad caused the next two batters to fly-out, ending the inning with the Astros still on top 4-2.

After three and a half more innings of seemingly uneventful play, Danville looked to the top of the eighth to start a late inning comeback.

With Greeneville's Arcenio Leon in at the middle relief position, Ware stepped up to bat looking to put the ball in play. Leon hit Ware on ball four, bringing the tying run to the plate.

After a fly out and a grounder to Altuve, the Braves had Ware on second with two outs and Shehan up to bat. The Danville right fielder knocked a single to center, scoring Ware and bringing the Braves within one. Greeneville's catcher Hernandez, however, ended the threat, picking off Shehan at first to end the inning.

The Astros could not gain an insurance run, leaving one runner on base in the bottom half of the inning. Greeneville's Brian Wabick, despite giving up a single, retired the Braves, gaining the save and the win, 4-3.

"I called Wabick in after having a rough night the first night," Linares said. "I told him, 'I expect you to be out there. You are going to get the ball. Do what you know how to do.'"

Almonte led the Astros in hitting, going three for four with two RBI's. Shehan led the Braves, going a perfect three for three from the plate. Trinidad gained the win, going five innings with five strike outs and no walks. Wabick earned his second save of the season with the win.

Danville's Casey Hodges was dealt the loss, putting him at 0-1 this season.

*The Astros and Braves will face off again tonight at Pioneer Park with a start time of 7 p.m. Sunday's game is at 6 p.m. The "Mayberry Deputy" will be at the park tonight for his usual antics. Sunday is "Family Value Night" where fans get two-for-one ticket prices, plus there will be an Astros umbrella giveaway as fans enter the gates.

*Friday's loss was the first of the season for Danville after sweeping their season opening series. Greeneville improves to 3-1 on the year.