Blubaugh Strong on the Mound but Tourists Fall 5-1

ASHEVILLE- Thirsty Thursday at McCormick Field was the annual Beer City Tourists night. The home team took on the Wilmington Blue Rocks and came up short 5-1. Beer City, playing in front of 3,500 strong, struggled to cash in their offensive opportunities and Wilmington used a couple of late Home Runs to spoil the fun.

A.J. Blubaugh churned in another strong pitching performance at McCormick Field. Blubaugh started and tossed 4.1 innings, scattered four hits, and surrendered only one run. Jose Betances finished out the fifth inning for Blubaugh and kept the game tied 1-1 at the time.

Beer City netted the game’s first run on back-to-back third inning doubles by Tommy Sacco Jr. and Collin Price. Wilmington’s only run off Blubaugh came in the top of the fourth on a two-out RBI single.

The Tourists offense recorded multiple hits in the sixth, eighth, and ninth innings; however, they were held without a run in all of three frames. The Blue Rocks plated three in the seventh to break the tie and added one more in the eighth.

Tim Borden II finished 3-for-4 with a double and Ryan Wrobleski went 2-for-4. Wilmington recorded 14 hits and drew six walks. The Asheville pitching staff has issued 26 walks over the first three games of this series. Game Four is slated for Friday night at 6:35pm ET.