Guilfoil Strong in Debut, Tourists Shut Out Again

LAKEWOOD- The Asheville Tourists offensive drought continued on Friday night as the T’s were shut out for the second straight game and ninth time this season. Asheville’s offense came into the game hitting a league low .187 in the month of August and the bats were only able to muster a 3-for-30 night. The Jersey Shore BlueClaws handed the Tourists a 6-0 loss.

All three of Asheville’s hits were singles; two of which came from Miguel Palma. The scoreless inning streak, combined with Thursday’s shutout loss, is up to 19.2 consecutive innings; one inning shy of their longest scoreless inning streak this year which ran from June 29 – July 1.

Tyler Guilfoil started on the mound and his Tourists debut was impressive. The right-hander surrendered hits to the first three batters he faced but then retired nine in a row. Guilfoil finished with 4.1 innings pitched, two earned runs allowed, and five strikeouts.

Max Roberts and Valente Bellozo tossed the final 3.2 innings and the duo did a decent job. Roberts sat down both batters he faced and Bellozo gave up two earned runs in his three innings pitched.

John Garcia was the only other Tourists player to reach base aside from Palma. Garcia hit a two-out single in the fifth inning.

Asheville will attempt to fire up the bats and snap their current three-game skid to Jersey Shore on Saturday night. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm ET.