Gomez, Tourists crush Crawdads

Hector Gomez went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and a run scored as Asheville defeated visiting Hickory, 12-2, on Sunday.

Gomez singled and scored in the first inning, singled in the second, ripped a two-run base hit in the fourth and doubled home a run in the seventh.

Geoff Strickland belted a two-run shot, his sixth, in the second to give the Tourists (42-27) a 5-0 lead. Anthony Jackson and Jhaysson Agustin chipped in two RBIs apiece.

Asheville starter Aneury Rodriguez (3-5) allowed one run on seven hits while fanning four over six innings for the win.

Alex Presley and Jim Negrych each went 3-for-4 for the Crawdads (27-40).

Hickory starter Dionis Rodriguez (0-2) gave up five runs -- four earned -- on six hits while striking out one and walking two over two frames.