Tourists Drop Second Straight One Run Game

ASHEVILLE- Friday night at McCormick Field featured a pitching duel between the Asheville Tourists and the Aberdeen IronBirds. R.J. Freure and Tyler Brown combined to toss all nine innings for the Tourists but it was Aberdeen who came out on top by a score of 3-2. This is the second straight one run loss the IronBirds have dealt the Tourists.

Aberdeen’s starting pitcher, Kyle Brnovich, did not allow a hit over the first five innings. During that time, the visitors built a 3-0 lead with an RBI fielder’s choice in the third and a two-run Home Run in the fifth.

The Tourists woke up offensively down the stretch; however, they left a number of scoring opportunities on the base paths. Matt Barefoot doubled in the sixth but was stranded at third at the end of the frame. Asheville loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh and came away with only one run on Wilyer Abreu’s RBI groundout. The home team was held scoreless in the eighth despite putting two on with no outs.

The Tourists had one more rally in the ninth. Scott Schreiber singled with one out. Abreu followed with an RBI double into right-centerfield to bring Asheville within a run and Wilyer even took third on the throw home. The IronBirds escaped by inducing a tapper in front of home plate and a flyout to right to end the game.

Freure allowed one run in his four innings of work with six strikeouts. Brown retired 12 straight hitters at one point and pitched the final five frames of the game without walking a batter.

The two teams are back in action on Saturday with the first pitch slated for 6:05pm.