Six-Run First Inning Propels Tourists over Cyclones

BROOKLYN- The Asheville Tourists defeated the Brooklyn Cyclones 7-1 on Friday night thanks in large part to a six-run first inning and a stellar pitching performance from Edinson Batista and Andrew Taylor. The victory improved Asheville’s early season record to 4-2.

Brooklyn’s starting pitcher retired the first two batters of the game but then ran into trouble. Brice Matthews singled and the next two batters walked. Ryan Johnson stepped to the plate and blasted a Grand Slam to left field on the first pitch he saw.

The Tourists continued their two-out rally in the top of the first with additional hits by Austin Deming, Garret Guillemette, and Jeron Williams. Asheville led 6-0 after one. The visitors added another run in the third inning when Brooklyn lost track of a shallow fly ball that dropped and allowed Deming to score from first base.

Batista dazzled in his second appearance, first start, of the season. The youngest pitcher on Asheville’s roster spun five shutout frames and struck out six. Edinson has not allowed an earned run in 9.2 innings to start the season.

Taylor pitched the final four innings, also struck out six, and earned the Tourists first save of the year. The right-hander’s lone blemish was a solo Home Run hit by the Cyclones in the seventh.

Deming reached base four times and Matthews extended his hitting streak to six consecutive games. The two teams have a quick turnaround with a double-header scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The first contest begins at 1:00pm.