Press Release: - Asheville 9, Savannah 4

Tourists take care of the Sand Gnats in matinee affair, 9-4


By Doug Maurer / Asheville Tourists

08/22/2010

The Tourists broke out to an 8-0 lead and hung on to win 9-4 going away. Sunday afternoon's game featured a little bit of everything from Asheville. They hit for power, were aggressive on the bases, and received some excellent pitching.

Chad Bettis (1-0, 1.29) made his Tourists debut by tossing seven innings, giving up only one run while scattering six hits. Bettis was consistently hitting 95 mph with his fastball, and had picture perfect location. Chad struck out seven Sand Gnat hitters and did not issue a single walk.

Offensively, the Tourists did not disappoint. Jared Clark hit his league leading 24th home run, a solo shot to left-center. After the home run, Clark was walked in his next three plate appearances. Avery Barnes had a big game as well, going 3-for-5 with two doubles.

Dallas Tarleton also added three hits, while Orlando Sandoval and Carlos Martinez chipped in two apiece. Tarleton did a nice job behind the plate as well; catching Bettis for the first time. Martinez left in the fifth inning with an undisclosed injury.

Delta Cleary Jr. drew three walks from the lead-off spot, and he came around to score twice. Nolan Arenado extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a double in the ninth that missed clearing the centerfield wall by about two feet. Arenado has 14 extra-base hits in his last 11 games (12 doubles and 2 home runs).

Asheville has now won 10 of the 16 meetings with Savannah this year. The teams will meet six more times in the regular season.