Augusta takes key series from Tourists
June 12, 2008 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release
ASHEVILLE - The Augusta Greenjackets came into McCormick Field as a spoiler in the South Atlantic League's Southern Division race and they did not take their role lightly. The Greenjackets won 4-3 over the Tourists to take two of three over Asheville and tighten up the bolts in the pennant race.
With the game tied at three in the eighth inning, two runners on and one out, Andrew Davis drove in the go-ahead run with a single to left field off Craig Rodriguez (3-3). The throw to the plate was not in time, so Lars Davis tried to throw Davis out at second - an attempt that was also unsuccessful. When Thomas Neal tried to score on the throw to second, Everth Cabrera's throw beat Neal to the plate, but Neal tried to bowl Davis and jar the ball loose. Davis held his ground to keep the Tourists in the game.
Unfortunately the only thing tighter than the division race on this night was the Augusta bullpen, as they held the T's hitless at the end of the game. Andrew De La Garza (5-0) picked up the win in relief of starter Oliver Odle and threw three flawless innings of relief and striking out seven before giving way to closer Daniel Otero. The All-Star picked up the final two outs of the game to pick up his 17th save of the year and preserve the one-run victory, Augusta's 18th one-run win this year.
Augusta drew first blood with an RBI groundout in the first, but the Tourists struck back an inning later on Kevin Clark's sixth home run of the year - a two-run blast to dead centerfield to give Asheville a 3-1 lead. Asheville ace Jhoulys Chacin gave up the lead in the top of the third, however, on RBI singles from Eliezer Alfonso and Thomas Neal to give the Jackets a 3-2 lead.
The Tourists tied the game in the sixth off Odle with three straight singles by Michael Mitchell, Jeffrey Cunningham and Darin Holcomb. After Brian Rike struck out, Jackets manager Andy Skeels went to his bullpen. With the bases loaded in the sixth and Asheville threatening to take a lead, De La Garza got Brian Lapin to ground out to end the Tourists best scoring opportunity of the night.
With their lead in the division down to one game, thanks to Charleston's win over Rome, the Tourists head to Hickory for three must-win games against the Crawdads. The Tourists control their own destiny in the race and can clinch no matter what Charleston does if they sweep the series. The Tourists will send Cory Riordan (6-4, 2.74) to the mound on Friday to take on Duke Welker. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. and the game can be heard on the Tourists flagship station WRES-FM, 100.7.
The Tourists will play their first home game of the second half on Tuesday, June 24th against the Crawdads. It will be the second Goodwill Night of the season, with fans getting a free general admission ticket for bringing three new or gently used clothing items to the ballgame. First pitch on the 24th is 7:05 p.m.
The Asheville Tourists are the Single-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Tickets are available by contacting the front office at (828)-258-0428 or on the website, www.theashevilletourists.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 12, 2008
- Legends take fourth straight - Lexington Legends
- Captains magic number down to two - Lake County Captains
- Braves chewed out by RiverDogs - Rome Emperors
- Augusta takes key series from Tourists - Asheville Tourists
- Crawdads can't overcome strong pitching performance - Hickory Crawdads
- Drive win again; now won 13 of 15 - Greenville Drive
- Gnats claim walk-off winner - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Grasshoppers take fifth straight - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- 'Jackets take rubber game - Augusta GreenJackets
- Suns drop close one to Captains - Hagerstown Suns
- 'Power'less against the Grasshoppers - Charleston Dirty Birds
- BlueClaws blanked in loss - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Shorebirds drop Lakewood - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Intimidators fall to Legends in series opener - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Shorebirds Game Notes - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Cipriano Activated from Disabled List - Columbus Catfish
- Catfish Hosting Military Appreciation Night, Father's Day Catch - Columbus Catfish
- Hoppers to Unveil MegaMascot at Friday Press Conference - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Augusta and Asheville Split Double-Header - Augusta GreenJackets
- Tip-A-GreenJacket Luncheon Big Success at Stonecrest - Augusta GreenJackets
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