SAL1 Asheville Tourists

Late Rally Leaves Tourists Just Short

Published on June 13, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release


(Asheville, NC) - The Tourists returned home to McCormick Field to host the Lexington Legends for the first of a three-game series Saturday night, dropping a wild back-and-forth affair, 8-7 in ten innings. Asheville starter Parker Frazier was effective, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits through 4.2 innings, and matching a career-best 8 strikeouts. Lexington starter Brad Dydalewicz was also solid for the Legends, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 8 hits through 5.0 innings and striking out 6.

The Tourists jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Delta Cleary reached second base on a one-out error by third baseman Ebert Rosario. Cleary stole third base, then came in to score on Jordan Pacheco's RBI base hit.

Lexington tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth on a solo homerun by left fielder Brian Pellegrini. It was the seventh homerun in just 26 games for the slugging Pellegrini, who spent time with Class-A Lancaster earlier this year.

Asheville would regain the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out rally. Jimmy Cesario got it started with a two-out base hit and Thomas Field followed with a double ripped down the left field line, scoring Cesario from first. Tyler Massey would then single up the middle to bring Field home, giving the Tourists a 3-1 lead.

The Legends tied it at 3-3 in the top of the fifth on RBI singled by Eric Suttle and Michael Diaz. Diaz started the game on the bench for Lexington, but came in to replace designated hitter Albert Cartwright, going 4-for-4 in his unexpected gig.

Lexington would pour on the offense in the top of the sixth against reliever Stephen Dodson, taking a 7-3 lead on a couple of wild pitches and three consecutive RBI singles by Suttle, Jay Austin, and Michael Diaz.

Asheville got one back in the bottom of the sixth on a solo homerun by Jordan Pacheco, his sixth long ball of the year, bringing the Tourists to within 7-4. The score remained that way until the Tourists came up in the bottom of the ninth inning. With one out, Tyler Massey smacked a double into right field and Ryan Peisel demolished a two-run blast to straightaway center field for his second homerun in as many games, bringing Asheville to within 7-6. After a pitching change for Lexington, Carlos Martinez ripped a base hit down the right field line that was misplayed by Lexington's Eric Suttle, allowing Martinez to advance all the way to third base. Scott Robinson brought him home with a base hit, bringing Asheville all the way back and tying the game at 7-7.

Lexington would escape the threat in the ninth and take the lead with a run in the top of the tenth inning on an RBI double by Michael Diaz. Diaz would begin the game on the bench, but finished the night 4-for-4 with 3 RBI. The Tourists would go down quietly in the bottom of the tenth, stranding two baserunners to end the game.

The Tourists (24-38) will face the Legends (31-31) again for game two of three Sunday afternoon, with RHP Juan Nicasio (1-0, 0.55) on the mound. He will go up against Lexington RHP Robert Bono (5-3, 2.31) with game time at 2:05 pm. Tickets for Sunday's game and all Tourists home games are available by contacting the Tourists box office at (828) 258-0428. You can also listen to all 140 Asheville Tourists games live on 100.7 WRES FM or streaming online at www.theashevilletourists.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 13, 2009


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