Sports stats



SAL1 Asheville Tourists

Quirky eighth inning leads to 7-6 Tourists win

August 30, 2008 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release


ASHEVILLE - Three eighth inning errors by a usually stable Augusta GreenJackets defense and a strange baserunning play propelled the Tourists to a 7-6 win in the first of three games to end the regular season between Asheville and Augusta.

These two teams will not only end the regular season together, but will also be paired in the first round of the South Atlantic League's Divisional Playoffs, which will begin on Wednesday back in Augusta. This means they will face each other for at least the next five games and possibly six.

With the game deadlocked at six in the eighth, the Tourists put a pair on base thanks to errors by ‘Jackets infielders. Darin Holcomb stood at the plate with one out when Everth Cabrera and Michael Mitchell pulled off a double steal to put runners at second and third. Holcomb was intentionally walked to load the bases for Kevin Clark, who struck out for the inning's second out. But after the third strike, catcher Nestor Rojas threw to third to try and pick off Everth Cabrera. The throw hit Cabrera and careened into left field, allowing the Tourists second baseman to trot home with the go-ahead run on the third Augusta error of the inning.

The Greenjackets jumped out to an early lead off Bruce Billings on an Angel Villalona blast over the left field fence to score a pair in the second. They would pick up an unearned run in the third before the Tourists struck back with a pair of their own in the third on a single by Holcomb and a sacrifice fly from Clark to bring the Tourists to within one.

After an Augusta sacrifice fly in the fourth, the Tourists jumped out to their first lead of the night with three in the bottom of the frame. Cabrera knocked in a run with a single, Mitchell grounded into a double play to tie the game and Jeffrey Cunningham's single scored Lars Davis to give Asheville a 5-4 lead after four.

Billings was unable to hold the lead, walking in the tying run before giving up a single to Dom Duggan to hand the ‘Jackets a 6-5 lead. A second run was prevented when Michael Mitchell threw Elio Sarmiento out at the plate trying to score. Billings would last just five in the no decision allowing six runs - three earned - on nine hits with two walks. He struck out five Augusta hitters.

The Tourists would tie the game in the sixth on another Mitchell double-play ball and relied on solid relief pitching from Matthew Reynolds and Edgmer Escalona to keep the GreenJackets at bay until they could pick up a lead. Once that was secured, manager Joe Mikulik handed the ball to closer Randall Taylor, who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 32nd save of the season.

Game two of the three-game series will see Robinson Fabian (4-5, 5.40) take the ball for Asheville to face Augusta's TJ Brewer (9-4, 2.94). The game will start at a special 7:05 p.m. start time and will feature the Labor Day Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by

Asheville Savings Bank, following the ballgame. The game can also be heard on the Tourists flagship station WRES-FM, 100.7. 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 August 30, 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.

Other Recent Asheville Tourists Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central