Johnson Hits Tape-Measure Homer in 12-7 Defeat

ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists fell 12-7 to the Greenville Drive on Tuesday night in Game One of their current homestand. Asheville delivered a big first inning and Ryan Johnson hit a monstrous Home Run, but the Drive did enough to counter the Tourists offense and keep Asheville from claiming a win.

Greenville scored a run in the top of the first inning but the home team responded with five runs of their own in the bottom half. John Garcia tied the game with an RBI single; Narbe Cruz gave the Tourists the lead with an RBI single; Jeron Williams padded the advantage with a Sac Fly; and Luis Encarnacion capped the big inning with a two-run double.

The visitors scored the game’s next three runs before Johnson answered with a 442-foot solo Home Run in the bottom of the fourth. The longball was Johnson’s third of the year and the longest hit at McCormick Field this season.

The Drive responded with four runs in the fifth and added a couple more in the sixth. Cam Fisher and Williams both doubled for the Tourists in the bottom of the sixth to finish out Asheville’s scoring. Nic Swanson struck out eight in 4.2 innings while Franny Cobos, Alejandro Torres, and Deury Carrasco were all effective out of the bullpen.

Game Two of the series is slated for Wednesday morning at 11:00am ET.