SAL1 Asheville Tourists

Billings throws no-hitter in rout

July 23, 2008 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release


ASHEVILLE - Bruce Billings was absolutely masterful at McCormick Field in a series and homestand finale, leaping into the record books with a win in a 10-0 no-hitter against the Lakewood BlueClaws. It was the first time that Lakewood has been no-hit in their franchise history.

With plenty of run support and a big lead, thanks to a pair of runs behind him in the third, three runs in the fourth and five in the seventh. Billings worked his way through Lakewood's order with precision and ease, with some quick work in the infield and lazy fly balls to the outfielders all night long. Only two BlueClaws reached first all night long - Tim Kennelly on Billings' only walk of the evening in the first and Joel Naughton, who reached on a Billings error with one out in the ninth.

After the error, Billings regained composure and got Jay Miller to fly out to Michael Mitchell in centerfield before Derrick Mitchell stepped up and put a charge into a deep fly ball to left field, sending Brian Lapin all the way back to the warning track before the ball nestled safely into Lapin's glove to place the no-hitter into the record books.

The Tourists run support came first in the third inning, as David Christensen doubled to lead things off, then scored on a throwing error after Lapin's single. Lost in the shuffle of the no-hitter is the fact that Lapin had a 3-4 night, including his first home run in a Tourists uniform. Mitchell's groundout scored Lapin to give the Tourists a 2-0 lead.

In the fourth, Lapin provided the second hit - a double to bring in both Darin Holcomb and Bo Bowman to double Asheville's lead. Holcomb reached via a base on balls to extend his on-base streak to 49 consecutive games. Everth Cabrera's RBI single would give the Tourists a 5-0 lead.

As Billings cruised the Tourists hit their stride offensively in the seventh, batting around and scoring five runs. The big blows came on Brian Rike's RBI double, Bowman's groundout to score Rike from third and then home runs from Helder Velazquez - a two-run shot on the second night in a row he's gone deep - and the Lapin solo home run to give the Tourists and Billings the 10-0 advantage.

Julian Sampson (6-4) took the loss for the BlueClaws on the history making night in Asheville, tossing five innings and allowing just a pair of earned runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Lakewood's defense wasn't helpful to Sampson's cause, committing three errors on the night.

Billings' no-no was the first at McCormick Field since Tourist Julio dePaula threw a no-hitter against the Cape Fear Crocs, winning 1-0 on June 26th in 2000. The Cape Fear team moved from Fayetteville, NC the very next season to become the Lakewood BlueClaws.

The Tourists have the day off on Thursday and will travel to Savannah to begin an eight-game road trip. Connor Graham (8-4, 1.93) will get the start on Friday night in Savannah to face righty Scott Moviel (9-7, 4.53). 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 return home on Saturday August 2nd against the Columbus Catfish for a 7:05 p.m. game on Mayberry Night, with the Mayberry Deputy in attendance. The first 500 fans through the gate will receive replicas of the 2007 National League Championship rings that the Colorado Rockies received this past April.

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.

Check out the Asheville Tourists Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from July 23, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central