Staff Strikes Out 13 for Sixth Win in Last Eight Games

Espinosa and Clifford Both Homer in 5-3 Victory over Drive

By Doug Maurer

July 22, 2023

GREENVILLE- The Asheville Tourists recorded a critical 5-3 victory over the Greenville Drive on Saturday night. The win, Asheville’s sixth in their last eight games, gives the Tourists an opportunity to go for a series win tomorrow afternoon. Asheville is coming off a series sweep against divisional opponent Winston-Salem and

GREENVILLE- The Asheville Tourists recorded a critical 5-3 victory over the Greenville Drive on Saturday night. The win, Asheville’s sixth in their last eight games, gives the Tourists an opportunity to go for a series win tomorrow afternoon. Asheville is coming off a series sweep against divisional opponent Winston-Salem and now has the chance to follow that up with a series victory over another divisional opponent in Greenville.

A.J. Blubaugh, Walker Brockhouse, and Alex Santos II combined to pitch all nine innings. The trio struck out 13 with Santos II leading the way. Alex punched out seven in his four innings of work including three in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Offensively, Rolando Espinosa hit his third Home Run of the year in the top of the third. The solo shot gave the Tourists a 1-0 lead. Ryan Clifford added a two-run Home Run in the fourth; his 13^th of the season. Zach Cole scored in the seventh on a throwing error and raced home again in the ninth on a Tommy Sacco Jr. RBI single.

Notes: Blubaugh tied his second longest outing of the year with 4.1 innings pitched. Greenville left ten runners on base compared to just three for Asheville. Sacco Jr. was the only Tourists player to finish with a multi-hit game. Asheville is 22-12 in games decided by two-runs or less.

Sunday’s series finale is scheduled for 3:05pm ET.