The Asheville Tourists built a 4-0 lead early against the Lexington Legends but were unable to hold on. The Legends scored the game’s last eight runs and beat the Tourists by a final score of 8-4.
Chad Spanberger hit a three-run Home Run in the bottom of the first inning; his 15th long ball of the year. In the second, Matt McLaughlin hit an RBI double to score Austin Bernard making the score 4-0.
In the top of the third, Lexington’s Brewer Hicklen hit a three-run shot to bring the Legends within one. After Lexington tied the score with a run in the fourth, Hicklen struck again in the fifth. The outfielder hit his second Home Run of the game with a two-run shot to centerfield.
Cal Jones made it 8-4 with a two-run Home Run in the seventh. Lexington’s bullpen really limited the Tourists offense. The Legends’ relievers tossed seven shutout innings and retired 14 in a row at one point.
Nick Kennedy pitched a season-high 6.1 innings but suffered the loss. Nate Harris and Derrik Watson combined for 2.2 innings of shutout baseball out of the Tourists bullpen.
Next up for Asheville is a four-game series in Charleston, SC. Monday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.
(Written by Doug Maurer, Asheville Tourists.)