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Augusta GreenJackets

Tourists Take Wild Affair; Jackets Fall 12-10

June 2, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release


Asheville, NC - The Augusta GreenJackets erased a seven-run deficit at one point of their ballgame against the Asheville Tourists on Saturday night before eventually falling 12-10 in one of their wildest games yet. The GreenJackets have now lost four straight, seven of their last eight and are just 1-5 on this road trip.

The Tourists struck first for the second straight night, getting a run in the first on Sam Mende's RBI single. Augusta tied the game on Jesus Galindo's two-out RBI double in the third to even things at one before things got silly in the bottom of the third.

It was Asheville's turn to score seven runs in an inning, sending 12 to the plate to score seven in the third. An error and a misplayed fly ball-turned-single opened the door for the Tourists, as Mende's double brought home a pair to make it a 3-1 Asheville lead. Later in the frame, Tyler Massey singled home another run and Jared Simon followed by drilling a two-run homer to push Asheville's lead to 6-1. After two walks and a single loaded the bases with two outs, Taylor Featherston's two-run single pushed the Asheville lead to 8-1.

Augusta starter Edwin Escobar didn't survive the third, being rattled to the tune of eight runs - five earned - on seven hits and a pair of walks in 2.1 innings, which equaled his shortest start of the year.

Down 8-1, the GreenJackets answered with seven runs of their own in the top of the fourth inning to miraculously retie the game at eight just a half inning later. Jose Flores doubled home a run and Jose Cuevas grounded out for the inning's second out to bring home another, making it an 8-3 Tourists lead. Jeff Arnold reached on an error by shortstop Featherston to extend the inning and bring home another run. After a walk and single loaded the bases, Kelby Tomlinson drew a bases-loaded walk to pull the GreenJackets to within three runs. After Asheville starter Tyler Anderson departed, Shawn Payne greeted new Tourists pitcher Rafael Suarez with a three-run, bases-clearing double that tied things at eight.

In the sixth, the GreenJackets grabbed their first lead in the series since Thursday night when Galindo's sacrifice fly plated Arnold to put Augusta ahead 9-8. The lead was short-lived though as the Tourists reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the inning. An error to lead off the inning put Asheville's Delta Cleary at first. With two outs, Cleary stole second and scored on Harold Riggins' RBI single to tie the game at nine. Massey followed with a two-run shot to give the Tourists a lead they wouldn't lose. They extended that lead to 12-9 with a run in the seventh on Jose Rivera's RBI double.

In the ninth, Augusta mounted a rally against Asheville closer Jefri Hernandez. Kelby Tomlinson led off the inning with a walk and with one out, Ben Thomas singled to put a pair on base. A wild pitch moved them into scoring position before Joe Staley was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Flores followed with an RBI single that made it a 12-10 game. With the bases loaded, Cuevas grounded into a game-ending double play as Hernandez survived to earn his eighth save of the season.

Suarez (1-1) allowed a run in 3.1 innings to get the win in relief for the Tourists while Adalberto Mejia (3-4) took the loss for the GreenJackets.

Augusta looks to avoid the series sweep on Sunday with Joseph Biagini (0-3, 7.17) taking the mound against Asheville righty Chris Jensen (5-2, 5.26) First pitch from Asheville comes at 2:05 p.m. with radio pregame coverage beginning at 1:50 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1340 AM and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.

The GreenJackets return home on Tuesday June 5th to open a three-game series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. Single-game tickets for any GreenJackets home game are currently available by calling the GreenJackets front office at 706-922-WINS and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.

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