Kevin McGowan tossed 8.1 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 3 K

Game two of the three game series between the Savannah Sand Gnats and the Asheville Tourists was played in front of 1,397 fans Tuesday evening at Grayson Stadium.

First place Savannah edged Asheville 3-2 to even the series at 1-1 and now lead the Tourists by six games.

Sand Gnats starter Kevin McGowan did not allow a hit until two outs in the 5th inning and would finish the game tossing 8.1 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and three strike outs.

Reliever Akeel Morris, faced two batters in the 9th and induced two ground outs to earn his second save on the season. Both pitchers have been selected to  the SAL All-Star team.

Sand Gnats got off to a quick start scoring two runs in the first inning, when shortstop Gavin Cecchini drew a walk and went to third when third baseman Jeff McNeil doubled. Both runners scored when L.J. Mazzilli‘s, batting in the DH spot, hit a chopper to third, which resulted in a throwing error by the Tourists third baseman, Ryan McMahon.

Asheville scored in the 6th inning, when shortstop Emerson Jimenez doubled and moved to third on a bunt single by center fielder David Dahl. A ground out by Cesar Galvez, scored Jimenez.

Savannah scored their third run of the game in the 8th inning when Mazzilli reached first on a fielding error by the first baseman, Correlle Prime. Mazzilli then advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored when second baseman Jorge Rivero singled.

In the 9th inning, Asheville scored when Galvez singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Galvez stole third base and scored on a ground out by McMahon.

The final game of the three game series starts at 7:05 pm Wednesday at Grayson Stadium.