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.

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.

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.

Off To A Great Start

The Asheville Tourists improved to 2-0 in the second half last night with a 4-3 win over the Augusta Greenjackets. The Tourists only managed 6 hits in the game and Third Baseman Ryan McMahon was the hitting star going 2 for 4 with two doubles and a Run Batted In. Four Asheville Tourists pitchers combined to scatter nine hits. Antonio Senzatela got the start and he went 4 1/3 innings and allowed two runs, Andrew Brown came in and pitched 2 2/3 innings in middle relief and gave up one unearned run and got credit for the win (3-0), and Matt Carasiti and Trent Daniel came on to pitch a scoreless inning a piece. Trent Daniel got his 6th save on the season. Tourists batters struggled a little bit at the plate, striking out thirteen times. Catcher Jose Brecino is quickly developing a reputation in the South Atlantic League for his willingness to throw to any base at any time to try to keep the opposing teams runners honest. He picked a Greenjackets runner off Third Base last night. Pitcher Andrew Brown also helped his own cause by picking a runner off second base.

A Wild Pitch Win

It is rare enough that the Asheville Tourists are involved in a 1-0 game, but how they won it makes it that much more rare. Michael Benjamin singled to Short to lead off the ninth inning, one of only six Asheville hits. He was wild pitched to Second and Third by Augusta reliever Daniel Slania. With two outs and Benjamin on Third, Augusta replaced Slania with Donald Snelten. Snelten threw Augusta's third wild pitch of the inning and Benjamin came home with what proved to be the winning, and only, run of the game. Asheville starter Zach Jemiola pitched probably his best game of the season, going 6 2/3 innings, scattering six singles, walked three, and struck out two. Reliever Troy Neiman pitched 2 1/3 innings of hitless relief and only walked one and got credit for the win (4-1).

First Game Of The Season

I finally got to go to my first Asheville Tourist game of the season tonight. The woman I am dating is not a big baseball fan (why am I dating her?) so my opportunities to attend have been rare. The Tourists and the Rome Braves made sure I did not overstay my welcome as they completed a 9 inning game in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Rome won 4-2 as Asheville could only muster 5 hits and their 2 runs came on two solo homeruns by Second Baseman Michael Benjamin. Rome starter Daniel Watts kept Tourists batters off balance by mixing in a high 80's fastball and a slow curve. He struck out 8 in 7 innings, only allowing 3 of the hits and one run. Third Baseman Ryan McMahon had two hits, a single and a double, and Ramiel Tapia had the only other hit, a single in the 9th inning. Tourist starter Konner Wade pitched a strong game, giving up 4 runs in 7 innings. He only made two mistakes on solo homeruns by Blake Brown and Victor Caratini. Rome manufactured a run in the top of the First on an infield single, a wild pitch, a ground out and another single. The other run scored on a fly ball that was lost in the sun by Left Fielder Max White. I did get to see the strangest double play I think I have ever seen at a game. Rome Catcher Victor Caratini was on First Base when batter Jacob Schrader swung at a pitch in the dirt for strike three. Tourist Catcher Jose Briceno kept the ball in front of him but Schrader kicked the ball away from him and Caratini advanced to second as a result of that. Caratini was called out because of batter interference and the Tourists had a double play although it was not called that in the box score. Two outs on one pitch equals double play. Jose Briceno had a great game behind the plate as he threw out a runner at second on a steal attempt and picked off Carlos Franco twice at first base.