Five-Run First Sends Charleston Past Rome

Five-Run First Sends Charleston Past Rome

RiverDogs jump on Braves early for 7-3 win

CHARLESTON, SC - The Charleston RiverDogs rode a five run first inning to a 7-3 victory over the Rome Braves on Saturday in South Atlantic League action in front of 4,222 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

With the win, the RiverDogs advance to 35-33 in the second half and 74-62 overall. The Braves improve to 36-32 in second half play and 72-65 overall with the defeat.

Dante Bichette, Jr. got the scoring started with an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning, and Daniel Aldrich later drove in a couple with a double of his own. Two costly errors gave Charleston two more runs to cap off the inning and put the RiverDogs in the lead 5-0 after one inning.

In the second, the Dogs added another run on Ericson Leonora's RBI double to push the lead to 6-0.

It stayed that way until the seventh thanks to an amazing performance by starting pitcher Luis Niebla in his final outing of the season.

Niebla allowed just three hits and walked nobody in six shutout innings to earn the victory and improve to 5-6. Lefty Tyler Webb tossed two innings of relief and gave up three runs on three hits and fanned two. James Pazos closed it out for Charleston with a perfect ninth inning.

Rafael Briceno made the start for Rome and got rocked to the tune of seven hits, six runs, four earned, and three walks. He got tagged with the loss to fall to 5-9.

The first seven batters in the Charleston lineup collected at least one hit. Greg Bird also walked two more times to push his SAL league leading total to 105 on the season.

BALLPARK FUN: The Lowcountry Highrollers roller derby team was in attendance and entertained the crowd during the game all throughout the ballpark. The team even named RiverDogs mascot Chelsea an honorary roller girl at the conclusion of the game on the field. Also, fans may exchange a ticket from Saturday for a ticket to either Sunday or Monday's game free of charge as a thank for handling the traffic and parking issues on Saturday!

COMING UP: Game three of this four game series will see LHP Eric Wooten (2-2, 1.46 ERA) start for Charleston and RHP Lucas Sims (11-4, 2.74 ERA) throw for Rome on Sunday night at Riley Park with first pitched scheduled for 5:05. It is another Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission and Crews Subaru Kids Club Sunday. Every Sunday game features FREE PARKING, members of the Kid's Club get FREE entry to the game and kids eat for FREE (kids 12-under will receive a coupon for a hot dog, Pepsi and chips). Hang out with Charlie, Chelsea and the whole crew as tons of their mascot friends from all over the Lowcountry and beyond take over the park. It is also Irish Heritage Night where we salute all our friends with ties to the Emerald Isle. Fans can purchase tickets at www.riverdogs.com, over the phone at 843/723-7241, or in-person at the Riley Park Box Office. Fans may also listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/18tT67o

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE. 

Braves Batter Charleston Bullpen, Win 8-4

Braves Batter Charleston Bullpen, Win 8-4

RiverDogs can't hold slim lead, fall in series opener

CHARLESTON, SC - The Rome Braves scored five runs in the seventh inning to erase a 3-2 deficit and cruise to an 8-4 win on Friday night over the Charleston RiverDogs in South Atlantic League action in front of 5,768 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

With the loss, the RiverDogs fall to 34-33 in the second half and 73-62 overall. The Braves improve to 36-31 in second half play and 72-64 overall with the win.

Both teams played long ball early with solo homers by Edison Sanchez for Rome and Ericson Leonora for Charleston in the second inning.

Still tied at 1-1 in the top of the fifth, Kyle Wren smacked just his second home run of the year to put the Braves up 2-1.

However, that lead didn't last long because after a walk to Greg Bird, righty slugger Dante Bichette, Jr. slammed his 11th homer of the year. The two-run shot gave the Dogs their first lead of the game, a 3-2 advantage.

RiverDogs' starter Brett Gerritse departed after six solid innings having allowed just four hits, two runs, two walks, and six strikeouts. The two homers were the first two he allowed all year. Gerritse wouldn't factor in the decision.

Righty Victor Beriguete came out of the bullpen to begin the seventh and was no relief for Charleston. In his debut for the Dogs, Beriguete allowed five run, four earned, on three hits, two walks, two wild pitches, and recorded just one out. He got tagged with the loss to fall to 1-0.

Lefty Matt Chaffee was great for Rome out of the bullpen tossing 2.1 scoreless, hitless innings. He walked two and fanned six en route to the win to improve to 2-1.

Greg Bird had another great game for the RiverDogs with three walks and a single. He now has a league leading 103 walks on the season.

BALLPARK FUN: The RiverDogs red, white, and blue digi camo jerseys were auctioned off during the game, and following the completion of the game were handed directly off the team's backs to the fans who purchased them via the silent auction.

COMING UP: Game two of this four game series will see RHP Luis Niebla (4-6, 4.99 ERA) start for Charleston and RHP Rafael Briceno (5-8, 6.34 ERA) throw for Rome on Saturday night at Riley Park with first pitched scheduled for 6:05. It's Roller Derby Night at The Joe! There will be roller derby-themed promotions throughout the night and the Lowcountry Highrollers team will be at the game. The RiverDogs will offer Baseball Bingo with a new twist to the classic game as it will be available to be downloaded as an app to your smartphone so you can follow the action and go for the win simultaneously via your mobile device. Fans can also enjoy craft beer specials that will be on tap including Leinenkugel Summer Shandy, Third Shift Amber Lager and more. The Blood Alliance team will be on-site from 4:30-7:30 pm and everyone who registers to donate will receive a FREE 4-pack of RiverDogs tickets. Plus, kids get the chance to have fun and run the bases after every Saturday home. Fans can purchase tickets atwww.riverdogs.com, over the phone at 843/723-7241, or in-person at the Riley Park Box Office. Fans may also listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/19Uhe6i

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE. 

Eight Run Ninth Gives Charleston Improbable Victory

Eighth Run Ninth Inning Gives Charleston Improbable Victory

Erase 2-0 deficit, score eight unanswered to even up the series

ASHEVILLE, NC - The Charleston RiverDogs scored eight times in the ninth inning to emerge victorious 8-2 over the Asheville Tourists in one of Charleston's wildest games of the year at McCormick Field in Asheville in South Atlantic League play.

With the comeback win, the RiverDogs improve to 31-31 in the second half and 70-60 overall. The Tourists fall to 23-38 in second half play and 61-68 overall with the victory. The series is tied at 1-1 with the finale coming up on Sunday.

Trailing 2-0 heading to the ninth inning, it looked like Charleston was going to come up short on Saturday on a beautiful night in the mountains. However, that was not the case.

Asheville righty Raul Fernandez had a night he hopes to soon forget. Daniel Aldrich led off the ninth with a single against Fernandez, then Ty Afenir reached on a bunt single, and Jake Cave walked to load the bases with nobody out. Jackson Valera came through for the Dogs and lined a single into right field to plate Aldrich and Afenir and tie the game at 2-2.

The next batter Greg Bird walked to reload the bases with nobody out, and Jose Rosario lifted a sacrifice fly to right to score Cave and give Charleston a 3-2 advantage, their first lead of the game. The RiverDogs were nowhere near done.

Following a pop out to second by Ericson Leonora, a weak grounder towards shortstop resulted in an RBI infield single for Reymond Nunez, and then a base hit by Fu-Lin Kuo plated another to put Charleston up 5-2.

The man who began the inning with a single Daniel Aldrich then stepped up to the plate, and the former College of Charleston Cougar launched his first home run as a professional, a three run blast over the right field wall to complete the miraculous comeback and give the RiverDogs the 8-2 lead.

Finally, Fernandez was removed from the game. The righty reliever recorded just two outs and gave up eight runs on six hits, two walks, and a homer. His ERA rose from 4.70 to 6.89 on the year. He earned the loss to fall to 2-2.

Brett Gerritse was very good for Charleston spinning six solid innings and allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits and recorded six strikeouts. Lefty Tyler Webb retired all nine men he faced and fanned six en route to the win to improve to 3-1.

Offensively, the RiverDogs were paced by Aldrich (2-5, two runs, three RBI), and they also got multi-hit games from Reymond Nunez, Jackson Valera, Jake Cave and Greg Bird.

Asheville got a fantastic start from T.J. Oakes, but he didn't factor in the decision. Oakes shut down the Charleston offense with six scoreless, six hit innings.

COMING UP: The rubber match of this three game series is Sunday afternoon at McCormick Field in Asheville at 2:05. Charleston will send out RHP Luis Niebla (4-6, 4.76 ERA) and the Tourists will counter with RHP Ben Hughes (8-10, 5.75 ERA) in the series finale. Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/171nf2f

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE. 

Cave's Walk-Off Double Quenches RiverDogs' Thirst

Cave's Walk-Off Double Quenches RiverDogs' Thirst On Thursday

Charleston scores three in the eighth, two in the ninth to steal series win

CHARLESTON, SC - After being no-hit through six innings the Charleston RiverDogs scored five times in the game's final two frames including a walk-off, two RBI double by Jake Cave to defeat the West Virginia Power 5-4 on Thursday night in front of 4,356 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in South Atlantic League action.

With the win, the RiverDogs are back to .500 at 30-30 in the second half and 69-59 overall. West Virginia falls to 36-23 in the second half and 73-56 overall with the tough loss. Charleston also wins the series 2-1.

Offensively, it was not a good start to the game for the RiverDogs to say the least. West Virginia starter Tyler Glasnow allowed no hits, no runs, walked five, and struck out a career high 13 batters over five innings of work.

The Power didn't score the first fun of the game until the fourth inning when Dilson Herrera and Raul Fortunato both doubled to make it 1-0 West Virginia.

After a couple errors, a hit, and a walk in the seventh, the Power extended their lead to 4-0.

The seventh inning stretch seemed to wake up the Charleston bats from their slumber. Jackson Valera lined a single into left to start the home half of the seventh and break up the no-hitter.

In the eighth inning, a couple doubles by Jake Cave and Greg Bird got Charleston their first run, and then Ericson Leonora's third homer of the year, a two-run shot, cut the Power lead to one run.

Leonora threw out a runner at home to end the top of the ninth inning and keep the game just 4-3. The RiverDogs would not be denied in the bottom of the ninth.

Walks to the first two batters put the game winning run aboard, and then a throwing error on the pitcher on a sacrifice bunt attempt loaded the bases with nobody out. Cave wasted no time roping a double to center field and driving in two runs to win the game for the Dogs.

Cave finished 2-4 with two doubles, two RBI, a walk, and a run scored to pace Charleston offensively.

Eric Wooten started for the RiverDogs and was solid allowing only one earned run, four total, on seven hits in six innings and four strikeouts. Adam Smith threw three scoreless innings and gave up just two hits en route to the win and improved to 5-2 on the year.

Bryton Trepagnier faced two batters in the ninth and walked them both without recording an out. He got tagged with the loss to fall to 5-5 after Lance Breedlove gave up the game winning double to Cave.

BALLPARK FUN: For the second straight night there was a new voice behind the mic at The Joe. PA Announcer Ken Carrington had travel issues and couldn't make it to Charleston in time for the game, so Promotions and Special Events Assistant Haley Kirchner took over and entertained a capacity crowd during the RiverDogs' final Budweiser Thirsty Thursday of 2013! Kirchner is believed to be the first female PA Announcer in the history of Riley Park.

COMING UP: The RiverDogs hit the road to begin their final road trip of the season beginning Friday in Asheville, NC against the Asheville Tourists. Charleston will send out RHP Derek Varnadore (1-6, 3.40 ERA) and the Tourists will start RHP Andrew Brown (6-0, 2.35 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 on Friday night at McCormick Field in Asheville for the first game of the three game series. Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/14nTab2

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE. 

Errors Help West Virginia Top Charleston

Errors Help West Virginia Top Charleston

Power score six late runs to even the series

CHARLESTON, SC - The Charleston RiverDogs committed three errors and the West Virginia Power took advantage and stole the game 7-4 on Wednesday night in front of 3,750 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in South Atlantic League action.

With the loss, the RiverDogs are back below .500 at 29-30 in the second half and 68-59 overall. West Virginia advances to 36-22 in the second half and 73-55 overall with the win. The series is now tied at 1-1 with the rubber match on Thursday.

A third inning solo homer by Jimmy Rider, his first hit of the season, put the Power up 1-0. Still 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, and error and an RBI single by Greg Bird put the Dogs on top 2-1.

Another West Virginia error in the sixth led to another Charleston run to put the Dogs up 3-1.

In the top of the seventh inning, reliever Evan Rutckyj hit a batter, walked another, and then served up the 12th homer of the year to Josh Bell, a three run blast the made it 4-3 Power.

Ericson Leonora was able to come through with a clutch two out, RBI single for Charleston to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh. However, that tie would not last long.

In the top of the eighth, two errors on one play by Charleston helped West Virginia score three times in the frame without an RBI and untie the game to take a 7-4 lead that they would not relinquish.

Daniel Camarena started for the RiverDogs and was solid just allowing one run on six hits and fanned two.

Evan Rutckyj got tagged with the loss for Charleston after giving up six runs, five earned, on three hits, three walks, one hit batter, and two wild pitches in 2.1 innings. The loss moves his record to 10-9.

Power starter Jason Creasy allowed just two unearned runs on four hits in five innings. Ryan Hafner picked up the win with three solid innings of two run, four hit baseball to improve to a perfect 7-0. Cesar Lopex worked a scoreless ninth to collect his first save of the year.

Jake Cave was the only RiverDogs with multiple hits going 2-5 with two runs scored in the loss. Greg Bird went 1-5 and knocked in team leading 79th RBI of the year.

BALLPARK FUN: Fans got to experience a different voice in the ballpark with Rick Zolzer, the PA Announcer for the Hudson Valley Renegades, entertaining the crowd at The Joe and RiverDogs PA Announcer Ken Carrington taking over for Zolzer in Hudson Valley for a unique PA Swap for one night only.

COMING UP: The finale of this three game series and homestand is Thursday night at 7:05 at Riley Park. LHP Eric Wooten (1-2, 1.80 ERA) will start for Charleston, and RHP Tyler Glasnow (8-3, 2.40 ERA) will take the mound for West Virginia. Enjoy the best Happy Hour in the Lowcountry for the final time in 2013 as DJ Natty Heavy spins the tunes in the Ashley View Pub with $1 drafts for the always-popular Budweiser Thirsty Thursday presented by 95SX! Fans can purchase tickets at www.riverdogs.com, over the phone at 843/723-7241, or in-person at the Riley Park Box Office. Fans may also listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/13Sv5p5

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE. 

Rome Braves Squeak By Charleston RiverDogs

Rome Squeaks By RiverDogs

Braves win rainy, one run game to take 2-1 series lead

ROME, GA – On a cool, rainy night in Northwest Georgia, the Rome Braves took a wet ballgame from the Charleston RiverDogs 5-4 on Sunday night at State Mutual Stadium in South Atlantic League action. There were two delays that combined for 1:51 minutes that affected the contest.

With their second straight loss, the RiverDogs fall to 28-28 in the second half and 67-57 overall. Rome advances to 28-28 in the second half and 63-62 overall with the victory.

Greg Bird paced Charleston offensively again going 3-4 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored.

After Bird’s RBI double in the top of the first inning, Rome got a two-run homer from Edison Sanchez in the bottom of the first to go up 2-1.

Sanchez had a huge night for the Braves finishing 3-3 with a homer, two singles, a walk, three RBI, and two runs scored.

Ericson Leonora tied it for Charleston in the top of the third inning with an RBI single that scored Bird. But, again Rome responded in their half of the inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Chase Anselment lined a base hit to right field that scored two runs and put the Braves back on top 4-2.

The game stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth inning when Sanchez was at again knocking in another run to put Rome up 5-2.

Both starters factored in the decision. Derek Varnadore made the spot start for the RiverDogs and allowed four runs, only two earned, on five hits, and walked three in four innings to earn the loss and fall to 1-6. Rome’s starter Frank Lafreniere limited Charleston to two runs, one earned, on four hits, one walk, and fanned three over six solid innings to improve to 6-12 with the victory.

Charleston added two runs in the eighth inning on RBI’s by Bird and Leonora, but wouldn’t get any closer.

After the game’s second rain delay occurred in the top of the eighth inning, Alex Wilson came out of the bullpen for the Braves and got the final six outs. He gave up no runs on two hits and struckout two.

The finale of the four game series is Monday night at State Mutual Stadium in Rome. Charleston will send out RHP Brett Gerritse (8-6, 3.43 ERA) for a spot start, and the Braves will counter with RHP Mauricio Cabrera (2-7, 3.91 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for7pm on Monday. Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/19CRWgj

--RIVERDOGS--

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE.