Asheville Tourists Snap Augusta GreenJackets Winning Streak With 7-6 Victory

Sunday

31Aug2008

Sunday, August 31, 2008 at 11:48AM

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com -

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Asheville, NC – The Augusta GreenJackets (41-28, 45-22) had their five game win streak snapped with a 7-6 loss to the Asheville Tourists (46-24, 37-30) on Saturday night. The GreenJackets were bit by the error bug in the eighth inning committing three allowing the go-ahead run to score and reliever Andrew De La Garza suffered the hard luck loss.

With the score tied 6-6 lead off batter Everth Cabrera began the inning reaching on a fielding error from shortstop Juan Ciriaco. Michal Mitchell followed with a bunt in front of home plate and catcher Nestor Rojas threw high to second base and into center field for the second error as he tried to get the lead runner.

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De La Garza (6-2) got the next batter to strike out but then after a double-steal intentionally walked Darin Holcomb to set up the double play. De La Garza then struck out Kevin Clark and on the play Rojas tried to pick off Cabrera at third base but the ball kicked off of Elio Sarmiento’s glove and went into left field as Asheville took a 7-6 lead. De La Garza struck out the very next batter.

De La Garza worked one inning allowing one unearned run on no hits, one intentional walk and three strikeouts.

Augusta had leads of 3-0, 4-2 and 6-5 but could not hold off the Asheville offense.

Starter Craig Clark got the no-decision for Augusta working two thirds of an inning leaving because of injury with the bases loaded in the first inning. Chance Corgan got the final out of the first inning and worked five innings allowing six runs, four earned, on 11 hits for the no-decision.

Augusta took a 3-0 lead getting a two-run homer in the second inning from Angel Villalona and then in the third inning with two outs Garrett Baker scored from third on a throwing error from center-fielder Michael Mitchell on a base it from Villalona.

The Tourists got two runs in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI single from Holcomb and an RBI sac-fly from Clark.

Augusta increased the lead to 4-2 in the fourth inning on an RBI sac-fly to left from Shane Jordan.

Asheville took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning scoring three times for a 5-4 lead. Cabrera and Jeffery Cunningham each had an RBI with the other run scoring on a double-play.

The GreenJackets took a 6-5 lead in the fifth inning on a two-out bases loaded walk to James Simmons and an RBI single from Dom Duggan.

The GreenJackets and Tourists continue their series on Sunday with Augusta sending right-hander T.J. Brewer (9-4, 2.94) to the mound. Asheville counters with right-hander Robinson Fabian (4-5, 5.32). First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

Game Notes:

The GreenJackets fell to 38-28 on the road this season

Augusta has 13 home runs over the past six games setting a season high mark for home runs in consecutive games.

Augusta opens the playoffs with Game 1 of the SAL Southern Division Series on September 3 at Lake Olmstead Stadium against the Asheville Tourists.

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Bob Matuszak | Comments Off |