Jose Jimenez’s RBI triple in the ninth inning provided the only run Savannah would need, as the Sand Gnats win for the fourth time in five games.

With one out, Jimenez tripled to center off Craig Baker to give the Sand Gnats the first lead of the ballgame. Richard Lucas then delivered an RBI single to clean things up and give the Gnats the 2-0 lead

The Tourists rallied in the bottom half of the ninth with a one-out single by Michael Mitchell and a walk of Brian Rike by eventual winning pitcher Jose Bierd (1-0). But South Atlantic League RBI leader Darin Holcomb grounded into a game-ending double play to preserve the win for Savannah.

Pitching was the name of the game through the first eight innings, as both starters threw seven scoreless innings. Sheng-An Kuo, in perhaps his best start of the year, yielded only four hits while walking only one hitter and striking out three. But Savannah’s Angel Calero was even more dominant – allowing just two hits and striking out three without allowing a single walk. Calero retired the last 13 Tourists he faced following Everth Cabrera’s two-out double in the third.

Craig Rodriguez (2-3) picks up the loss for the Tourists after pitching a scoreless ninth, but leaving the ballgame responsible for the eventual winning run.

Tomorrow, the Tourists will send ace Jhoulys Chacin (4-1, 1.85) to the hill in an attempt to salvage at least a split of the series. The Sand Gnats will counter with lefty Michael Antonini (2-1, 3.26).