Ninth Inning Nightmare; Tourists Fall 10-9
July 17, 2017 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release
ASHEVILLE -- The Asheville Tourists took an 8-6 lead into the top of the ninth inning on Sunday afternoon; however, Asheville fell to the Augusta GreenJackets by a final score of 10-9. The visitors plated four runs, all with two outs, in the top of the ninth to overcome the deficit. Asheville's last ditch comeback attempt came up one run short.
After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first inning, the Tourists rallied to score the game's next five runs. The two teams then traded two-run Home Runs in the third; one by Augusta's Jacob Heyward and the other by Asheville's Jacob Bosiokovic.
Augusta plated one in the fourth and another in the fifth. With the Tourists lead down to one, Bobby Wernes hit a sixth inning solo Home Run to push the lead back out to 8-6. Asheville had a great chance to extend their advantage by putting runners at second and third with no outs in the seventh but failed to score.
In the top of the ninth, Augusta loaded the bases on an infield single, a walk, and a hit by pitch. With two outs, Cristian Paulino hit a ground ball through the right side of the infield to score two and tie the game. The next batter, Will Albertson, hit a two run double off the wall in right to give the GreenJackets a 10-8 lead. Augusta was down to their final strike on two separate occasions.
Tyler Nevin led off the bottom of the ninth with a Home Run to give the home team life again. After the next two batters were retired, Carlos Herrera doubled to put the tying run at second base. Manny Melendez worked the count but failed to make contact on a two strike swing. The strikeout ended the game.
This was only the second time all season Asheville has lost when carrying a lead into the ninth inning. Nevin finished 4-for-5 with a Home Run and two doubles. Herrera finished 3-for-4. The Tourists are 0-10 in day games at McCormick Field this season.
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