Tourists Catch a Case of the Mondays

ASHEVILLE- Monday morning, screaming children, and a hungry Rome Braves team was a recipe for disaster when it came to Asheville's offense today. The Asheville Tourists recorded only two hits and were shutout for the third time this season, 3-0 to the Braves.
On the education day in Rome, Asheville's only hits came on a bunt single by Shael Mendoza to lead off the game and a Casey Golden double to lead off the ninth inning. The Tourists struck out 13 times. It is the second time this road trip Asheville was held scoreless and only managed two hits.

Nick Kennedy was Asheville's starting pitcher and the lefty pitched his best game of the year. Kennedy allowed only one earned run through six innings. Unfortunately, the last time the Tourists were shutout was when Kennedy pitched in Charleston.
The bats weren't the only thing that fell short on Monday. Asheville's defense committed three errors behind Kennedy. On a positive note, the defense turned a pair of double-plays including a spectacular twin killing that worked the Tourists out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth.
The Tourists finished their road trip 3-4. Following Tuesday's off day Asheville will begin a seven-game homestand. Wednesday's contest against Greensboro begins at 7:05pm.