A Score Worthy Of A Video Game

Asheville had a great offensive performance last night against Greensboro pounding out 17 hits, 9 for extra bases, and scoring 12 runs but unfortunately, Greensboro had a better offensive game. Greensboro had 19 hits, 8 of those for extra bases and scored 15 runs as what could probably best be described as a Wrigley Field kind of game right here in Asheville. The Tourists battled back from a 6-2 deficit early on and a 10-5 deficit in the later innings to tie the score at 11 heading into the 9th inning. Asheville, however, ran out of gas as Greensboro scored 4 runs in the top of the 9th and Asheville could only plate 1 in the bottom of the ninth as they finally ran out of comebacks. David Dahl and Max White both had 4 hits (3 of Dahl's hits were doubles) and White drove in two runs while Jordan Patterson and Correlle Prime both had a homerun and 3 RBI's nut it still wasn't quite enough. Asheville starter Johendi Jiminian only lasted 3 innings and gave up 6 runs, 5 earned, before giving away to a bullpen that didn't fare much better. Trent Daniel took the loss (1-2) giving up Greensboro's final 5 runs in 1 2/3 innings.

The Bats Come Out

The bats finally came alive last night for the Asheville Tourists in a 11-4 win over visiting Greensboro and they improved their record to 6-1 in the second half of the season. They pounded out 16 hits in their best offensive performance of the second half. Ryan McMahon homered and drove in 4, Jordan Patterson went 4 for 5 with a 2 doubles, a homerun, and 3 RBI's; Jose Briceno added 3 hits, 2 of them doubles and an RBI, and Max White had 2 hits and 2 RBI's. Starter Antonio Senzatela improved his record to 8-1 by pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up 3 runs.

Back On Track

The Asheville Tourists got back on a winning track last night with a 5-4 victory over the Greenville Drive, evening the series at one a piece. The Tourists quickly jumped on top with a four run bottom of the First inning, the big blow being a two run single by Max White. Ryan McMahon and backup Catcher Wilfredo Rodriguez had the other RBI's in the inning. Raimel Tapia drove in the Tourists final run with a forceout in the bottom of the Fourth inning that drove in David Dahl who had singled earlier in the inning. Asheville starter Zach Jemiola went six strong innings only giving up one run before giving way to reliever Jeffri Hernandez in the top of the Seventh inning. He pitched one inning, Trent Daniel pitched the Eighth inning, giving up a three run homerun, and Troy Neiman pitched the Ninth inning for his 5th Save. Neiman added a little bit of excitement to the Ninth inning when he walked the leadoff batter but he was erased by the next batter who hit into a double play, then the next batter singled, before he got the final out on a groundout to the pitcher.

Thirteen Never Has Been That Lucky

The Asheville Tourists were down 14-0 before their bats ever woke up in last nights 14-6 loss to the Greenville Drive. The Drive pounded out 20 hits and scored the 14 runs without the benefit of a homerun although they did hit five doubles. Greenville pretty much hit anything and everyone the Tourists threw at them. Starter Starter Johendi Jiminian, one of Asheville most consistent starters this season, never could get untracked and gave up 8 runs in 2 2/3 innings and his record fell to 8-4. Andrew Brown followed and was touched up for 4 runs in 2 2/3 innings and it was 14-0 by the time the seventh inning stretch rolled around. Correlle Prime led off the bottom of the seventh inning with his 13th homerun and Jose Briceno hit a three run homer, his 2nd, and Max White followed that up a couple of batters later with a two run shot, his 4th, to finish out the scoring.

Lights Out Pitching

The Asheville Tourists pitching in the second half of the season has been lights out. Three games played against the Augusta Greenjackets and only two earned runs allowed. The Tourists used five pitchers last night to shutout the Greenjackets for the second time in three games, 4-0. Alex Blalog started and went five innings, allowed three hits, struck out five and walked two; Jeffri Hernandez pitched one inning, two hits and a walk; Matt Carasiti went 1 1/3 with two walks, Dylan Stamey went 1 1/3 alowing a hit, a walk, and struck out two, and Trent Daniel came on to get the final out of the game with two men on for his 7th save on the season. The Asheville Tourists stole four bases on the game, two by Raimel Tapia, and both of his steals led to runs scored. The Tourists opened up the top of the first inning by manufacturing a run. Tapia was hit by a pitch, stole second, and Ryan McMahon singled him in. The second inning saw Second Baseman Alec Mehrten doubled and scored on a Emerson Jiminez triple. The Tourists put two insurance runs up in the eighth inning as David Dahl singled, was wild pitched to third, Tapia singled him in, a walk, Tapia steals third, an error by Augusta's third baseman, and Tapia scored the second run of the inning. The Tourists have done an excellent job of putting pressure on the other teams defense by showing a willingness to run with several of their players as six Tourists players have double digits in steals led by Max White's 15 against only one caught stealing. None of these players are going to lead the league in steals but knowing when to run is an important factor and having six players on the team that can run, keeps constant pressure on the defense provided they can get on base.

The 2014 Asheville Tourists

The Asheville Tourists announced their 2014 Opening Day Roster today and the Tourists have four of the Colorado Rockies Top 20 Prospects, as listed on Coloradorockies.com, on their roster to start the season. Three of the four are Outfielders as #2 David Dahl, #18 Max White, and #19 Raimel Tapia all made the roster. Dahl and White spent some time with the Tourists last season. The #15 prospect and newcomer to the Tourists, Third Baseman Ryan McMahon, was also placed on the roster. It is interesting to note that none of the Rockies top pitching prospects made the Opening Day roster. Pitchers Trent Blank and Matt Carasiti also spent time with the Tourists last season as did Infielder Zach Osborne and Catcher Jose Briceno. The Coaching staff, led by Manager Fred Ocasio, returned intact with the exception of new Pitching Coach Mark Brewer, who has 20 years experience as a Pitching Coach in various Major League organizations. He replaces the Pitching Coach from the past couple of years, Joey Eischen. The Tourists open up the 2014 season at home on a Thirsty Thursday against the Delmarva Shorebirds, the Baltimore Orioles low Class A team.