Defense Dominates in 4-2 Win over Rome

ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists defeated the Rome Emperors 4-2 on Tuesday night in a game where Asheville turned a season-high three double-plays. Garret Guillemette clubbed a two-run Homer and the pitching staff did the rest as the Tourists evened up their season record at 5-5.

Jake Bloss was exceptional in his first official appearance at McCormick Field. Bloss started the Exhibition Game on April 3 and made his season debut last Tuesday in Brooklyn. The Greensboro, NC native took the mound for the Tourists and pitched 4.1 shutout innings with five strikeouts.

Ian Foggo finished out the fifth inning while Joey Mancini took care of the game’s final four frames. Mancini kept the lead throughout and earned his first save of the season.

Offensively, Guillemette’s two-run Home Run in the second inning gave the Tourists the early lead. Luis Baez drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth and John Garcia plated Tyler Whitaker with a Sac Fly in the sixth. Rome’s lone rally came in the seventh inning; however, Mancini limited the damage to two runs.

The Tourists and the Emperors are back in action for Game Two of the series on Wednesday night. The first pitch is slated for 6:35pm ET.