Tourists Slip to Second
Published on May 15, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release
Savannah, GA - Asheville had a 3-1 lead slip away on Thursday against Savannah as the Sand Gnats won 3-4 handing Asheville its first three game skid of the season. Sheng-An Kuo (2-3) pitched effectively through 5 1/3 innings but four Tourists errors contributed to two unearned runs and a second place standing at the end of the night. Charleston won 2-1 over Greenville and Asheville now enters a four game series with the RiverDogs on Friday a half game out a first place.
Savannah scored in the first inning with leadoff man Greg Veloz bunting his way on base and taking second on Kuo's throw that sailed down the first base line. The second batter Richard Pena then reached on a fielding error and Jordan Abruzzo singled home Veloz to take a 1-0 lead.
Asheville's potent office was quiet until the sixth inning once again when the team would strike for all three of their runs. Asheville was held to 10 runs in the four game series. Michael Mitchell broke an 0 for 13 slide with two hits, one of them a single to begin the sixth inning. Brian Rike extended his on-base streak to 18 consecutive games with a walk and Darin Holcomb followed with a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third.
Jeffrey Cunningham then delivered his eighth double of the season giving Asheville a 2-1 lead. Brian Lapin would follow up with a single to give the Tourists a 3-1 lead.
Savannah came right back with a three run sixth of their own, capitalizing on a one-out walk to Casey Craig and a Jordan Abruzzo Single. Francisco Pena then singled to pull to within 3-2. First baseman Jose Jimenez then singled to left to score two runs as the ball got past Brian Lapin in the outfield. The single marked the end of the outing for Kuo.
Edgmer Escolona finished the inning and the game with 2 2/3 scoreless worked in relief. Asheville threatened in the ninth inning as David Christensen would single to center and steal second base but Asheville could not deliver past that as Jose Bierd entered the game to shut the door and pick up his fifth save for Savannah. The Sand Gnats took three of four from Asheville as the team travels to Charleston to open up a four game series against the RiverDogs on Friday beginning at 7:05.
The Tourists return home from their road trip on Tuesday May 20th for their first meeting of the year with the Rome Braves at 7:05 p.m. It will be another Kids Eat Free Night, presented by Papa John's Pizza, and the first of three Goodwill Nights at the ballpark. Bring any three new or gently used clothing items to McCormick Field and receive a free general admission ticket for that night's game.
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.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 15, 2008
- Tourists Slip to Second - Asheville Tourists
- Legends Lose Another One-Run Game, 7-6 - Lexington Legends
- Catfish Fall 10-2 - Columbus Catfish
- Power and Captains Rained Out - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Intimidators Rained Out Against Delmarva In Series Finale - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Hoppers, Hickman Smash BlueClaws - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- McAllister Fans 11 as RiverDogs Drive Greenville Home With 2-1 Victory - Charleston RiverDogs
- Captains and Power Rained Out - Lake County Captains
- Drive's Rally Comes Up Short in Series Finale, Lose 2-1 - Greenville Drive
- Drive's Rally Comes Up Short in Series Finale, Lose 2-1 - Greenville Drive
- Sand Gnats rally in sixth, win 4-3 - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Long balls doom BlueClaws in 8-5 loss to Greensboro - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- GreenJackets and Braves Game Cancelled - Augusta GreenJackets
- Rome Braves Game Postponed - Rome Emperors
- RiverDogs Change Friday Start Time - Charleston RiverDogs
- Greensboro Game Notes - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Rome Makes Roster Move - Rome Emperors
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