Asheville 2 - Columbia 0

Gabriel Llanes was very sharp for the Fireflies in his fourth start of the season. The righty lasted six innings and hasn’t allowed a walk in his last two outings (13 innings). Asheville outlasted Columbia 2-0 (11 innings) in just two hours and 28 minutes.

The first nine frames were played in less than two hours and it was Columbia’s (11-9) first extra-inning game of the season. Asheville (10-10) tallied both of its runs in the top of the 11^th. Jacob Bosiokovic led off with a double. With Max George at the plate, Bosiokovic scored on a passed ball that went between Brandon Brosher’s legs. The Tourists added their second run on a suicide squeeze from Jose Gomez.

Joel Huertas (L, 0-1) logged five innings for the Fireflies out of the bullpen – the longest by a reliever this year. The southpaw was the only arm used in relief. Asheville’s Alejandro Requena pitched eight innings and had nine strikeouts. J.D. Hammer (W, 3-0) paved the way with two shutout innings for the Tourists.

Columbia produced just four hits and did not have one after the fifth inning. Tim Tebow registered his third double of the season in the second frame. The Fireflies had a chance with two runners on base in the third inning. Tebow hit into a rare double play, which ended the stanza. Dash Winningham rounded third base too far and was caught in between bases. Moments later, Reed Gamache attempted to take third and was thrown out.

The Fireflies aim to take the three-game series on Wednesday morning against the Tourists. First pitch is set for 11:05 a.m. at Spirit Communications Park. Right-hander Merandy Gonzalez (3-0, 0.00) makes his fourth start for Columbia. Righty Brandon Gold (1-1, 3.18) is scheduled to start for Asheville.