Five-Run First Propels Tourists To 5-2 Win

CHARLESTON, SC-- Sunday night's series finale began with a lot of patience by the Asheville Tourists. In the top of the first inning, Asheville waited out the Charleston RiverDogs starting pitcher Jordan Foley. The first three batters of the game walked, two singles, a hit-by-pitch, and one more walk later, Foley's day was done.

The right-hander departed with four runs allowed, the bases still loaded, and no outs recorded. Joey Maher came in to relieve Foley and quickly induced a double-play; although the Tourists brought a run home there. Asheville's hits came from Josh Fuentes, a two-run single to right, and Max White, an RBI single to left center. Sean Dwyer also worked a bases loaded walk.

The five runs were more than enough for Grahamm Wiest who was making his Tourists debut. Wiest rolled through six innings, scattered five hits, and allowed only one run; which was unearned. Asheville had their trouble offensively after the big first inning. At one point, Charleston retired 20 consecutive Tourists hitters.

In the eighth inning, Omar Carrizales broke up that streak with a bunt single to lead off the inning. Fuentes and Wes Rogers each recorded singles in the ninth, but the Tourists never did add to their lead. After James Lomangino worked a pair of scoreless innings in relief of Wiest, Josh Michalec finished off the RiverDogs in the bottom of the ninth. Charleston did manage to plate a run off Michalec, but they never threatened to make it close.

Rogers stole his 38th base of the season during the contest. He now leads all of Minor League Baseball in stolen bases.

The two teams ended up splitting their four-game series and will play another four-game set at McCormick Field beginning this Friday. Next up for Asheville is a home contest against the Rome Braves on Tuesday night at 7:05pm.