For the first time in the 2014 season, the Asheville Tourists saw their record dip below .500 after dropping their fourth straight contest.
The Greenville Drive took the first game of a three game set 8-3 on Monday night. The Tourists are in the midst of playing a stretch of 14 out of 16 games away from home.
Asheville jumped out to a quick start in the top of the first. David Dahl dropped down a bunt single to lead off the game and Pat Valaika followed with a single into right. Two batters later, Ryan McMahon put the Tourists ahead with an RBI groundout to first.
In the bottom of the inning, Greenville rallied with two outs off Tourists’ starter Konner Wade. After back-to-back singles, Carlos Asuaje doubled home a pair to put the home team in front 2-1. The Drive made it 3-1 on Wendell Rijo’s solo Home Run in the second.
After Asuaje tripled to lead off the fourth and later scored, McMahon brought the Tourists right back into the game. The Tourists’ third-baseman launched a two-run homer to right; his league-leading seventh long ball of the season.
Trailing 4-3 heading to the seventh, Asheville put the tying run at third base with one out in the form of Wilfredo Rodriguez. Unfortunately, they were unable to plate Rodriguez and Greenville made the Tourists pay in the bottom of the frame.
The Drive worked five walks including two with the bases loaded and added a two-run single to cap off a four-run seventh inning. The Tourists did not have a hit the rest of the way.
Dahl and Valaika both finished 2-for-4 with two stolen bases. On the other end of the spectrum, Raimel Tapia and Max White went a combined 0-for-7 with seven strikeouts. The Tourists struck out a season high 15 times and finished just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Asheville and Greenville continue the series on Tuesday night with the first pitch set for 7:05pm.