Tourists Weather Gnats 5-4 Sunday
August 14, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, GA - The Asheville Tourists weathered a pre-game rainstorm and the Savannah Sand Gnats' comeback attempts to hold on for a 5-4 win at Historic Grayson Stadium Sunday evening. With the win, Asheville moved into a third-place tie in the second half South Atlantic Southern Division standings, three and a half games behind the Gnats.
The Tourists (27-22/58-60) broke a 2-2 tie with a three-run fourth inning against starter Ryan Fraser and reliever Brandon Sage. After Fraser left the game with runners and second and third and one out in the inning, Tourists' LF Avery Barnes greeted Sage with a two-run double to the base of the right-centerfield wall putting Asheville in front 4-2. Avery scored the Tourists' fifth run on Kyle Parker's sacrifice fly into foul territory in right field. Parker, the former two-sport star at Clemson, was 1-2 with a walk and a sacrifice fly.
The Gnats (30-18/69-48) drew within a run at 5-4 by scoring twice in the sixth inning. RF Rafael Fernandez led off by beating out an infield single. C Albert Cordero chased home Fernandez with a triple down the left field line. Cordero scored from third on an acrobatic diving slide at home plate when the Asheville defense booted 3B Aderlin Rodriguez's ground ball. Cordero finished 2-4 with a double and a triple and two RBI.
The Gnats had the tying run on base in each of the last four innings, but could not come up with the big hit to tie the game.
Wilfredo Tovar was 0-3 with a walk, snapping his eight-game hitting streak.
Reliever Gonzalez Germen threw four scoreless innings, yielding just a hit and a walk while striking out two to give the Gnats a chance to come back. Starter Ryan Fraser, who was charged with four runs, three earned, in 3.1 innings, took the loss to fall to 7-8.
The Gnats took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning helped by doubles from CF Darrell Ceciliani and Cordero.
The Tourists evened the game at 2-2 in the third on a two-run home run by shortstop Joey Wong, his fifth of the year.
The Gnats will start RHP Taylor Whitenton (4-3, 3.00) against RHP Josh Slaats (7-1, 4.09) Monday at 7:05 pm in game two of this four-game series with Asheville. Gates will open at 6 pm and the broadcast on News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com will begin at 6:50 pm.
Dollar Monday presented by Kroger, the Savannah Morning News and E93
General Admission tickets are just $1 with Kroger Plus Cards or with coupons available in area Kroger locations, in the Savannah Morning News, or online at savannahnow.com and e93fm.com.
Hot Dogs, small Natty Lights, small sodas, and chips are all $1 at the game.
The first 100 families will receive a free reusable grocery bag courtesy of Kroger.
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