Ruppenthal Limits Braves While Tourists Offense Comes to Life

ROME- The Asheville Tourists responded in a big way Friday night with an 8-2 series tying victory over the Rome Braves at State Mutual Stadium. The offense erupted for 15 hits. Shay Whitcomb and C.J. Stubbs each hit two-run Homers while Matt Ruppenthal was stellar on the mound.

Ruppenthal held the Braves scoreless over the game’s first four innings. During that time, the Tourists offense built a 6-0 advantage. In the top of the first, Matt Barefoot doubled in Freudis Nova to put Asheville on top 1-0. The next inning, Wilyer Abreu and Whitcomb each connected with RBI singles to extend the lead.

Asheville continued to better their offensive output in the top of the third. Stubbs cranked a two-run Home Run over the wall in left-center and Enmanuel Valdez drove in his 61st run of the season with an RBI single to right. The Tourists led 6-0 after three.

Rome was able to score two runs in the bottom of the fifth off Ruppenthal with a solo Home Run and an RBI groundout; however, the Tourists pitching did not allow any further damage. Ruppenthal pitched a season-high 6.2 innings and struck out five. The Tourists right-hander’s quality start earned him his fourth win of the season.

Whitcomb’s two-run Homer in the sixth provided the six-run cushion the Tourists would finish the game with. Tommy Dejuneas and Jonathan Sprinkle tossed the final 2.1 innings out of the Asheville bullpen. Neither reliever allowed a hit.

Nova led the offensive attack with three hits while Whitcomb, Barefoot, Valdez, Abreu, and JC Correa all finished with two hits. Zach Daniels also delivered with a run scored and his second double of the series. The Tourists and the Braves will play game five of their series on Saturday night with the first pitch set for 6:00pm ET.