Tourists Rally Late to beat Winston-Salem 6-3

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (August 25, 2022) — The Winston-Salem Dash surrendered a ninth inning lead as they fell 6-3 to the Asheville Tourists.

Much like Wednesday’s ballgame, neither side could push across a run through the first three innings. Tommy Sommer, the Winston-Salem Starter, allowed just two base hits in that span. While Asheville’s Colton Gordon struck out five Dash hitters through three innings.

Then in the top of the fourth inning, Colin Barber drew a leadoff walk then stole second base to get in scoring position. A groundout pushed Barber to third, where he was able to score on a Joey Loperfido double to give Asheville a 1-0 lead.

Sommer held it at 1-0 through the fourth, then the Dash began to find their offensive groove in the home half of the fifth. Ivan Gonzalez opened it up with a double, then Jason Matthews drew a five pitch walk. Then with two outs, James Beard turned on an 0-1 pitch and launched a towering three-run blast onto the hill in left field, to give Winston-Salem a 3-1 advantage.

Tommy Sommer sent Asheville down 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth, which would be his final frame. The southpaw fanned six hitters across six innings, while allowing just one run on four base hits.

Everett Hazelwood and Skyler Arias combined to hold Asheville off the board in the seventh and eighth innings, but Arias struggled in the top of the ninth. He walked Joey Loperfido then hit Luis Santana, before Miguel Palma singled to load the bases with nobody out. Arias got Tim Borden to strike out, but then Jose Alvarez doubled into the left center field gap, plating two runs to tie the game at 3-3. After an intentional walk to Michael Sandle, Winston-Salem brought Luis Amaya out of the bullpen. He promptly walked Luis Guerrero to force in the go-ahead run, then walked Zach Daniels as well to make it 5-3. JC Correa then drove another run in with a sacrifice fly, as the Tourists pulled ahead 6-3.

The Dash put the leadoff man on in the bottom of the ninth, but could not complete the comeback. Diosmerky Taveras got the win in relief, with Skyler Arias suffering the loss.