Battle of the League's Hottest Teams Goes to Asheville

ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists defeated the Rome Braves 6-2 on Tuesday night and, in the process, won for the ninth time in their last 11 games. Asheville used an outstanding starting pitching performance from Diosmerky Taveras and four strong innings in relief from Ray Gaither.

Zach Daniels gave the Tourists a 2-0 lead with an opposite field two-run Home Run in the bottom of the first inning. Asheville then mounted a rally in the fifth to expand their lead. Michael Sandle delivered a run scoring single into left field and JC Correa plated two more with his single into center. The Tourists led 5-0 after five.

Miguel Palma drove in Daniels with a two-out single in the eighth to cap the home team’s scoring output. Rome was held to no runs on just two hits over the first eight innings. The Braves hit a pair of solo Home Runs in the ninth; however, Gaither closed out the ballgame with a strikeout and earned his first save of the season. Taveras picked up the win, his second of the year.

The win brings the Tourists one game closer to the first place Braves who entered the night on a six-game win streak and were winners of eight of their last ten. The two teams square off five more times in the series; however, Asheville made an important statement with their Game One victory.

Tourists Game Recaps are presented by Jackson Electrical Contractors, Inc