Banfield homers again as Hoppers fall

GREENSBORO, N.C. (August 12, 2018) -- Will Banfield smashed his third home run in four days, but the Grasshoppers fell to the Asheville Tourists, 9-2, in a rain-shortened affair on Sunday afternoon at First National Bank Field. Greensboro (21-25 Second Half, 55-60 overall) dropped its fifth as a pair of rain delays marred the day.
Asheville used a 3-run second inning to build a 4-0 lead before Greensboro chipped away with Banfield's 2-run home run (3) in the bottom of the second.  
Austin Bernard buoyed the Tourists lead with a solo home run in the top of the fifth for a 5-2 lead. Matt McLaughlin added his own 2-run home run (4) in the sixth to increase Asheville's lead to 7-2 before play was suspended for the first time due to rain three pitches into the bottom of the sixth.  
Hoppers starting pitcher Colton Hock (9-6) worked all 6.0 innings before the first rain delay, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits including three home runs. The Stanford product struck out two and walked none in a losing effort.  
Tourists starter Garrett Schilling (6-4) tossed 5.0 innings, limiting the Grasshoppers to two runs (one earned) on one hit while striking out six and walking none to earn the win. He began facing Connor Scott to open the bottom of the sixth before umpires called for the tarp.  
Hoppers reliever Jeremy Ovalle gave up two runs to the Tourists in the top of the seventh, and Moises Ceja kept the Grasshoppers off the board for two innings of relief before rain halted play for the second and final time at 6:57 p.m. The game was officially called a little over a half hour later at 7:29 p.m.
Banfield, whom the Marlins selected in the Competitive Balance Round B (69th overall) of this June's First-Year Player Draft, finished Sunday's game 1-for-3 with two RBI. All three of Banfield's hits since joining the Grasshoppers on Tuesday have cleared the outfield wall for the first three home runs of his professional career.  
The Grasshoppers and Tourists wrap up this 4-game series on Monday at 12:00 p.m. on a Money Off Money presented by Circle K featuring $6 lawn tickets, $1 hot dogs, $1 12-oz soft drinks, and discounts draft beers. Gates open at 11:00 a.m., and tickets are available online at gsohoppers.com.