Julio Dominates in Series Clinching Win

AUGUSTA-- Erick Julio had not tasted victory since the Tourists beat the Greensboro Grasshoppers back on April 27. Monday night in Augusta, Asheville's starting pitcher dazzled on the mound and earned his first win since that late April evening. The Tourists offense came to life late and secured a 7-1 victory over the GreenJackets.
Julio and Augusta's starter, Raffi Vizcaino, dueled back and forth to a 1-1 tie through the first seven innings. Asheville first run came on Jose Gomez's two-out RBI double in the third inning. Augusta did not manage a hit off Julio until the fifth inning. The GreenJackets rallied for a run on two hits in the sixth to tie the score.

In the top of the eighth, the Tourists went to work. Gomez singled and promptly scored on a Willie Abreu double. Bobby Wernes followed suite with an RBI double of his own to score Abreu. A costly fielding error allowed Wernes to score and Max George added an RBI single in the frame.
In the ninth, Abreu blasted his ninth Home Run of the season; a two-run shot to give the Tourists their final winning margin. Julio finished with seven innings pitched, one run allowed, and surrendered only four hits. Asheville's opening day starter was in control from the beginning.
The win marked Asheville's fourth in their last five games. The Tourists finished the series with a three games to one advantage and outscored Augusta 23-7 over the four contests.
Following Tuesday's league-wide off day, Asheville will host the Hickory Crawdads for the first time this year. Wednesday's game will begin at 7:05pm.