Strong Start Not Enough for T's as Gnats Rally Late
July 31, 2015 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release
SAVANNAH, GA-- Somewhere between the middle of the fifth inning to the beginning of the bottom of the fifth inning the momentum swung from the Asheville Tourists to the Savannah Sand Gnats. Friday night's game at Historic Grayson had the makings of a thriller, but after the change in momentum the Sand Gnats took control to win 8-3.
It is hard to figure out exactly what changed as the Tourists held a 3-1 lead at the half way point. All three of Asheville's runs came in the top of the fifth. The first was on a safety squeeze bunt that was perfectly executed by Max George. Later in the frame, Shane Hoelscher laced a single into left field that plated a pair of runs.
In the bottom of the fifth, Savannah's Michael Katz scored on a wild pitch. In the sixth, Katz delivered an RBI single to score Wuilmer Becerra. With the game tied, the Sand Gnats never allowed another Tourists player to reach base.
The seventh inning was the frame where the wheels fell off for Asheville. Savannah put a runner aboard on a hit by pitch. Patrick Biondi then bunted for a single and Jonathan Johnson's attempt at a sacrifice turned into a double error that allowed two runs to score. The Sand Gnats added three RBI hits in the frame.
Grahamm Wiest pitched well for Asheville but did not factor in the decision. Dom Nunez was the only Tourist with a multi-hit game. Savannah's Ricky Knapp earned the win by going seven while both of the Sand Gnat relievers retired the side in order in the eighth and ninth innings.
The Gnats have outhit the Tourists 23 to 13 through the first two games of the series. Asheville will look to bounce back against Savannah on Saturday evening with the first pitch scheduled for 6:05pm.
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