Taveras and Gaither Fire a Shutout

ABERDEEN- The Asheville Tourists recorded their third shutout victory of the season with a 4-0 victory over the Aberdeen IronBirds. Diosmerky Taveras pitched a season-high six innings and Ray Gaither tossed the final three frames to earn his second save of the season.

Asheville jumped on Aberdeen’s starting pitcher Peter Van Loon in the top of the first inning. Michael Sandle and JC Correa hit back-to-back singles and Zach Daniels loaded the bases when he was hit by a pitch. Joey Loperfido stepped to the plated and lined a two-run single into right field to give the Tourists a 2-0 lead.

Taveras limited the IronBirds to four hits and did not walk a batter over the first six innings. The right-hander struck out six. Gaither came in and fired a scoreless bottom of the seventh before Asheville’s offense came through in the eighth. With runners at second and third, Loperfido hammered a two-run triple into deep centerfield.

Gaither finished off the IronBirds with two more shutdown innings. Sandle went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and Luis Guerrero also added two hits to the attack.

Asheville and Aberdeen wrap up their series on Sunday afternoon at 2:05pm ET.

Tourists Game Recaps are presented by Jackson Electrical Contractors, Inc