Tourists Wilt in Savannah Heat

Savannah, Ga.- The Savannah Sand Gnats took advantage of the Asheville Tourists' mistakes to emerge with a 4-1 victory Wednesday evening at Historic Grayson Stadium. The Gnats took two of three games from Asheville in a likely preview of the matchup of the first round of the South Atlantic League playoffs. 

The final three Sand Gnats (33-20/77-42) runs scored on Asheville errors. With a 1-1 game in the fourth, and Stefan Sabol at first, second baseman Jonathan Johnson singled into left-center field, but the ball bounced off Asheville centerfielder Ramiel Tapia's glove to allow Sabol to score. In the sixth with two runners aboard, shortstop Emerson Jimenez bobbled a ball to allow two more runs to score for a 4-1 Savannah lead. 

Gnats starter Octavio Acosta, in just his second Gnats start, was excellent over eight innings. He allowed one run, on five hits, all singles for his first win in a Savannah uniform. 

Closer Akeel Morris struck out two in a 12-3 ninth inning for his 14th save of the year. 

The Tourists (36-17/77-45) scored their only run in the third inning on an RBI single by second baseman Cesar Galvez. 

The Gnats welcome the Greenville Drive to Savannah Thursday with RHP Logan Taylor (0-3, 3.64) on the mound against RHP Ty Buttrey.

Fans can enjoy half-priced draft beer and soda as a part of Thirsty Thursday brought to you by Budweiser, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Connect Savannah, I-95 FM, and E93.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. Gates to Historic Grayson Stadium open at 6 pm. The radio pre-game show on News/Talk 630 WBMQ, online at sandgnats.com and via TuneIn radio begins at 6:45 pm.