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SAL1 Asheville Tourists

Tourists almost repeat the come back, but fall one run short

June 10, 2006 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release


Despite another thrilling and valiant ninth inning comeback, the back to back third inning two-out home runs by the Greenvile Drive were the eventual difference in another close run game that ended up 6-4 in favor of the visitors.

The Tourists got on the scoreboard first. Cole Garner's solid double into center field brought home Jason Van Kooten (who had earlier hit a single through the middle and then stolen second base) to make the score 1-0. That lead increased to 3-0 in the bottom of the second.

The Drive hitters got down to business in the top of the third inning, off of the pitching of starter Alan Johnson, scoring four runs on three hits and a walk, including two home runs. Centre fielder Yahmed Yema hammered the ball over the right field wall, clearing two runners in front of him for a three run shot, and Yema was followed by catcher Mark Wagner's solo blast over the opposite wall, giving the visiting Drive a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the third.

Back came the Tourists immediately, Daniel Carte and Chris Nelson hitting back to back RBI doubles, scoring two runs to bring the deficit down to one run in a 4-3 ballgame.

The Tourists could not get back to level terms though, and going into the final three outs they found themselves 6-3 down, needing three runs to take the game into extra innings for the second game in a row.

Cole Garner drew a walk to start the ninth, and Phillip Cuadrado put the ball along the ground along the fight field line to load up bases one and two. In the next at bat Christopher Cook hit the ball hard along the ground into left field for an RBI single that brought home Garner and moved Cuadrado to second, and made the score 6-4.

John Restrepo replaced Cook on first base as a pinch runner, and he raced round to third base, with Cuadrado scoring from second on Kyle Blumenthal's line drive through the middle for an RBI single to bring the Tourists to within one run, the score 6-5 for the visiting team.

That left two runners on base, the tying run just ninety feet away, and still three outs remained on the board. That's when the call to the bullpen came. Jason Blackey replaced Tim Cox, and Blackey must have been aware of the situation in yesterday's game, where his colleague Matthew Hancock had come in to pitch, only to walk in the winning run.

Lightning didn't strike twice this time though, as Blackey first of all struck out Eric Young Jr for the first out, and then saw Daniel Carte ground into a double play, leaving Asheville one run short of another miracle comeback.

Game three is Sunday Afternoon, with a 2.05pm start. Don't miss it!

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