Tourists Split Double-Header with IronBirds

ABERDEEN- The Asheville Tourists came one inning away from sweeping a double-header from the Aberdeen IronBirds on Tuesday night. The Tourists stormed out to an 11-4 win in Game One and were out in front of a 1-0 pitcher’s duel going into the final inning of Game Two. The IronBirds rallied to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh to walk off the Tourists 2-1.

The first game began on a low note when the IronBirds scored three runs in the first inning. Zach Daniels put the Tourists on the board with a solo Home Run in the second inning. Asheville rallied in the fourth with four runs on RBI hits from Chad Stevens and Joey Loperfido. The Tourists then scored six more runs in the next frame to salt the game away.

Heitor Tokar covered five innings despite the rocky start and Christian Mejias pitched the final two innings without allowing a run. All nine players in Asheville’s lineup had at least one hit.

Game Two was a pitcher’s duel from the very beginning. Asheville’s Cesar Gomez went toe-to-toe with Aberdeen’s Ignacio Feliz. Kenedy Corona was the only offensive player to strike for either team off the starting pitchers. Corona launched a leadoff Home Run in the top of the fourth inning. Feliz ran into some additional trouble in the top of the sixth when the Tourists put two runners aboard with two outs. The IronBirds went to their bullpen and escaped the jam.

Gomez pitched outstanding once again, maybe even the best he has pitched all season. The right-hander threw five innings, allowed only one hit, and matched a season-high with nine strikeouts. Cesar was pulled after the fifth with only 70 pitches to his credit. Ultimately, Gomez was denied his first road win of the season when Aberdeen scored two in the seventh off the Tourists bullpen. The IronBirds also had the bases loaded with one out in the sixth but did not score.

Tourists Game Recaps are presented by Jackson Electrical Contractors, Inc