The Asheville Tourists’ Alejandro Requena entered Saturday night with the second best ERA in the entire South Atlantic League, but the right-hander ran into a tough Greenville Drive lineup and struggled for the first time this year.
Greenville ended up with a 9-3 win although the contest was much closer than the final score.
The Drive jumped out to a 3-0 lead with three runs on five singles in the second inning. Three of the five singles never left the infield. Asheville bounced back with a run in the top of the third when Colton Welker doubled home Carlos Herrera.
Greenville plated two more off Requena in the bottom of the third but the Tourists responded with a two-run fourth inning. Herrera ad Jose Gomez each contributed RBI doubles. The game remained 5-3 until the bottom of the fifth. It looked like Asheville was out of the inning when Tyler Hill appeared to be caught stealing second base for the third out. Hill was ruled safe and after a walk and hit by pitch the Drive had the bases loaded.
The Tourists went to the bullpen and Jared Gesell allowed a three run double to Isaias Lucena that made it 8-3. All eight runs were charged to Requena. Asheville continued to put pressure on Greenville’s pitching staff but could not cash in with runs. Greenville made several highlight reel defensive plays that ruined several rallies.
Despite the ball bouncing Greenville’s way almost all night, Asheville worked a season-high seven walks and put at least one runner aboard in every inning. The Tourists will attempt to win their second game of the series on Sunday afternoon.
(Written by Doug Maurer of the Asheville Tourists.)