Comeback Bid Falls Short in One-Run Loss

LAKEWOOD- The Asheville Tourists were forced to play come-from-behind against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws right from the start on Wednesday. Jersey Shore built a 4-0 lead before an out was recorded in the bottom of the first. The BlueClaws then held off a strong comeback attempt by the Tourists; Asheville fell by a final of 5-4.

Nic Swanson was Asheville’s starting pitcher and the right-hander pitched four innings. Swanson retired the final 12 batters he faced; however, it was the first four that gave him trouble. Nic walked three straight before Jersey Shore’s Kendall Simmons hit a Grand Slam in the bottom of the first.

Asheville began their comeback in the top of the third. Ryan Wrobleski hit a two-out, two-run single into centerfield that cut the deficit in half to 4-2. The Tourists added another run in the fifth when the BlueClaws thought time was called and threw a live ball into their dugout. Miguel Palma was automatically brought in to score from second base.

The BlueClaws rallied for a run with two-outs in the sixth off Brayan De Paula and that ended up being the game-winner. Asheville’s last attack came in the top of the eighth. Michael Sandle walked, Austin Deming singled, and Kobe Kato singled in Sandle to pull the Tourists within a run at 5-4. With one out, Deming at third, and Kato at second, the Tourists were unable to plate the tying or go-ahead run. Asheville went down in order in the ninth.

Franny Cobos pitched a pair of scoreless innings out of the Tourists bullpen. Asheville was held to five hits in the game; all singles. The Tourists as a team are batting .197 in August.