Epic Tourists Comeback Turns into 8-7 Loss
Published on April 26, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Tourists trailed the Hagerstown Suns 7-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. Asheville came out of nowhere with six runs on six hits in the eighth to tie the game 7-7. Hagerstown, unfazed by the disappearance of their lead, scrapped across a run in the top of the ninth to take the series opener from the Tourists 8-7.
Peter Lambert started for Asheville and lasted five innings. Lambert ran into trouble in the form of a two-out Suns rally in the top of the second. Hagerstown pounded out three straight two-out hits to plate three runs. Lambert did not allow a run in any of the other four innings he pitched.
Jonathan Piron put the Tourists on the board with a solo Home Run to begin the bottom of the third. Suns starter Jefry Rodriguez held the Tourists to that one run on three hits through six innings. Rodriguez felt secure that he would be awarded the win, especially after Hagerstown scored once in the seventh and three times in the eighth; but the righty settled for a no-decision.
After Carlos Herrera was hit by a pitch with one out in the bottom of the eighth, Asheville pounded out six straight hits followed by a game-tying sacrifice fly from Max George. In the top of the ninth, Kelvin Franco hit Victor Robles on the first pitch of the inning. Robles stole second and took third on a wild pitch. Kelvin Gutierrez's sacrifice fly plated Robles for the eventual winning run. Asheville went down in order in the bottom of the ninth.
The Tourists and the Suns will face off on Wednesday night at 7:05pm for game two of their scheduled three-game series.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 26, 2016
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- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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- 'Beer City' Tourists Jerseys and Caps to be Worn June 2 - Asheville Tourists
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