Three Shutouts In Four Games

The Asheville Tourists pitching staff has pitched three shutouts against the Augusta Greenjackets in the four games they have played since the second half began, two of them by 1-0 scores, including yesterday's game. I hope some stats freak is digging throught the history books to see when the last time that happened or if it has ever happened before in Asheville Tourists history. It is a good thing the pitching has come through because the Tourists bats have not exactly been knocking the cover off the ball. Yesterday, Asheville had more stolen bases (5) than hits (4), and the only run the Tourists scored came off a Michael Benjamin double in the fifth inning, Raimel Tapia got hit by a pitch, Benjamin stole third base and scored on an error by the Augusta Catcher. Asheville starter Konner Wade (5-7) made the lone run hold up as he pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up four hits, a walk, and he struck out two. Reliever Troy Neiman came in for the final two innings, gave up a hit, struck out one, to earn his 4th Save. All of these games have been on the road so it will be interesting to see how well the pitching does when the Tourists return to Asheville tonight to start a lengthy homestand against the Greenville Drive and then Greensboro comes to town starting Thirsty Thursday.