Cleary's Big Night Sends Tourists to 5-4 Win over Legends
June 14, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release
(WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK, Lexington, Ky.) Delta Cleary Jr. had three doubles and a home run, and scored the winning run in the top of the ninth inning as the Asheville Tourists defeated the Lexington Legends 5-4 Thursday night.
Lexington got on the board first. Delino DeShields Jr. led off the bottom of the first with a single. He moved to second on Jordan Scott's sacrifice bunt, stole third, and scored when Zach Johnson doubled to left field. The steal was DeShields' South Atlantic League-leading 43rd of the year.
Asheville answered with one run in the third. Cleary led off with a double, and scored when Rosell Herrera followed with a double to left field.
Matt Duffy's 420-foot homer over the left field bleachers in the bottom of the third gave the Legends the lead again at 2-1.
The Tourists answered in the fourth. Jared Simon led off with a single and advanced to third on Brian Humphries' double. After Ryan Casteel struck out, Jose Rivera hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Simon to tie the game. Cleary followed with a homer to right field and Asheville led 4-2.
The Legends tied the game with a two-out rally in the sixth. Mike Kvasnicka reached on an infield single, and scored on Jesse Wierzbicki's double down the right field line. Wierzbicki scored the tying run when Brandon Meredith singled up the middle.
Asheville broke the tie in the ninth. Cleary led off with a double, and after Casteel struck out,
Taylor Featherston singled to left field, scoring Cleary with the tie-breaking run. Asheville reliever Geoff Parker retired the Legends in order in the bottom of the ninth, earning his first save.
Rafael Suarez (2-1) came into the game in the eighth and got the win. Legends reliever Murilo Gouvea (1-3) picked up the loss, allowing one run over two innings of work.
Lexington and Asheville will play game two of their four game series Friday night. The first 1,000 adults will receive an Alan "Stein," a mug honoring the Legends' founder and former president and CEO. A Ford fireworks show will follow the game. First pitch at Whitaker Bank Ballpark is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Attendance 5,005
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