Gnats Bounce Tourists in Rubber Match

Asheville, NC - The Sand Gnats scored early and often to beat the Tourists 5-3 in the rubber match of their three game series on Wednesday at McCormick Field. Sand Gnats starter Casey Delgado (2-0) earned his second win in just his second professional game. 

Savannah (26-27) scored four runs in the first three innings on Wednesday night. SS Luis Guillorme reached on a throwing error from 3B Shane Hoelscher in the first, the first of five for the Tourist in the game. Guillorme scored the games first run on a fielding error by SS Emerson Jimenez. Catcher Tomas Nido led off the second with a solo-shot to right-center. LF Vicente Lupo doubled and scored on a sacrifice bunt form 2B Jonathan Johnson. 

Asheville (22-31) plated their first run on Gnats starter Casey Delgado in the third inning. Dom Nunez led off the third with a single, stole second, and scored on a throwing error by 3B JC Rodriguez. Hoelscher singled, stole second, and scored on a single from Drew Weeks in the fourth. Hoelscher scored the Tourists third run in the sixth after he doubled. 

Gnats relievers Alberto Baldonado and Jimmy Duff tossed a combined 3.0 shutout innings. Duff earned his third save of the year. 

The Sand Gnats return home tomorrow, June 4th for Budweiser Thirsty Thursday @ 7:05 pm. The Gnats will start RHP Martires Arias, while the Greenville Drive will start LHP Dedgar Jimenez in game one of the four-game series at Historic Grayson Stadium.