The Asheville Tourists began their seven-game road trip on the right foot. They jumped out to an early lead against the Savannah Sand Gnats and ended up with an 8-2 victory.
Savannah’s starting pitcher, Casey Delgado, had already thrown a gem against Asheville earlier in the year; but this was a different story.
With a runner aboard in the first inning, Dom Nunez left the yard against Delgado. It was Nunez’s fifth Home Run since the All-Star Break. Roberto Ramos doubled to lead off the second and Josh Fuentes singled him over to third. Ryan Stephens’ sacrifice fly made it 3-0 and Omar Carrizales put down a safety squeeze to make it 4-0.
The Sand Gnats loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the third, but Carlos Polanco limited the damage to only one unearned run with help from outfielder Yonathan Daza. The right-fielder made three consecutive catches to end the inning. Asheville regained the run in the top of the sixth when Daza drove in Shane Hoelscher with a sacrifice fly. Delgado’s day was done having allowed five runs on eight hits. His previous performance against the Tourists lasted 7.2 innings with ten strikeouts.
Yoely Bello helped relieve Polanco out of a jam in the bottom of the sixth but the Gnats were able to score once. The score remained 5-2 until the top of the ninth. With the bases loaded Carrizales brought in a run with a ground ball then Luis Jean plated two with a single to left.
Shane Halley pitched the final two frames for Asheville and earned his first save of the season. Hoelscher finished with three hits while Carrizales, Josh Fuentes, and Max George recorded two hits apiece. The Tourists are 4-1 this season.