On a night where the Lexington Legends packed their park for a July 4th celebration of baseball and fireworks, the Asheville Tourists came to town and spoiled the show.
After a competitive first four innings, the Tourists exploded offensively and kept the Legends from scoring in a 13-0 series opening victory.
Asheville’s Helmis Rodriguez ran his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 14 with seven shutout frames Saturday night. Rodriguez has yet to allow a run in the second half of the season. The streak does not include his scoreless first inning in the All-Star Game. The left-hander allowed six hits, all singles, did not walk a batter and struck out six.
Lexington’s Pedro Fernandez was impressive early. He faced the minimum through the first three innings before issuing three two-out walks in the fourth. Fernandez escaped the inning unscathed but he was not as lucky in the fifth. Omar Carrizales put Asheville in front with an RBI single and Luis Jean followed with an RBI single. The Tourists plated a third run on a Legends balk.
In the sixth, the visitors broke the game open. Asheville sent twelve batters to the plate and scored six runs off reliever Jake Newberry. Roberto Ramos hit a two-run single, Max George connected with an RBI single, and Jean added a sacrifice fly. The final two runs of the frame scored on wild pitches.
Leading 9-0 the Tourists decided to play some long ball. Carrizales crushed a two-run shot in the seventh and Weeks added a solo blast in the eighth. Carrizales also had an RBI single in the eighth. He finished with a game-high four hits and four RBI.
Shane Halley tossed the final two innings for Asheville and preserved the shutout. Halley, the former Kansas City Royals farmhand while facing his old organization, struck out two and did not allow a hit. It is the sixth shutout win for the Tourists this year.
Asheville is now in sole possession of first place in the South Atlantic League’s Southern division.
(Article written by Doug Maurer of the Asheville Tourists.)