CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Charleston RiverDogs rallied to plate two runs in the eighth inning, but were defeated 3-2 by the Savannah Sand Gnats in the first game of a four-game series in front of 4,365 fans Friday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
The RiverDogs (15-25 second half, 49-61 overall) were held to three hits against Savannah’s starting pitcher Carlos Delgado (6-3). The righty pitched seven and two-third innings and allowed base hits to Vince Conde, Isaias Tejeda, and Ryan Lindemuth only.
Charleston bounced back to score two runs in the bottom of the eighth after being shut out for the first seven frames. Collin Slaybaugh drew a two-out walk to chase Delgado from the game.
Ryan Lindemuth hit a single to center against the new pitcher Tim Peterson and Slaybaugh advanced to third. Devyn Bolasky drove in both Slaybaugh and Lindemuth with a single to center, but was thrown out attempting to advance to second base to end the inning. Peterson retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.
After four scoreless innings, Savannah (22-17, 61-48) grabbed a 1-0 edge in the top of the fifth. J.C. Rodriguez started the inning with a single, advanced to third on two wild pitches by Matt Wotherspoon (3-3), and scored on a sacrifice fly by Patrick Biondi.
The Sand Gnats increased their lead to 2-0 with another run in the sixth. Luis Guillorme hit a leadoff double, advanced to third on a ground out, and scored on Eudor Garcia’s RBI single.
Savannah’s lead ballooned to three in the top of the eighth. Jonathan Johnson walked and Luis Guillorme singled to start the frame. Wuilmer Becerra hit a ground ball to short and the RiverDogs got Guillorme out at second base, but Johnson came home to score on an errant throw by Vince Conde attempting to turn a double play.
BOX SCORE: http://atmilb.com/1IOl4MU
GAME HIGHLIGHTS: https://youtu.be/vr4uZtjmQFg
BALLPARK FUN: The RiverDogs honored Ed Creech with a pregame ceremony as he was inducted into the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame on Friday night. The RiverDogs wore their alternate red uniforms for ISHPI Red Shirt Friday. Two bachelors came out on the field for an inflatable jousting match in between innings. Fans were entertained with a postgame fireworks show over the scenic Ashley River, which also included a pyrotechnic salute to Mayor Joe Riley in right field, ending another fantastic Friday night of fun at The Joe!
COMING UP: The RiverDogs continue their four-game series against Savannah with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 5:05 p.m. Charleston will send RHP Jordan Foley (3-5, 3.03 ERA) to the mound against RHP Martires Arias (5-5, 2.72 ERA) for the Sand Gnats in the first game. Charleston will send LHP Rony Bautista (3-4, 4.06 ERA) to the mound against RHP Chris Flexen (0-0, -.–) for the Sand Gnats in the second game. You can watch both games on MiLB.tv or listen to the action on “The Big Talker” 1250 WTMA, WTMA.com, and RiverDogs.com.
Saturday is Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame Night. Help us honor Pete Ayoub, Lee Curtis, and Coach John Chalus as they are inducted into the Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame. Former Summerville head football coach John McKissick will be in attendance for Saturday’s Summerville & Moncks Corner Night at The Joe. McKissick recently announced his retirement after working as the head coach since 1952. He led Summerville to 10 state championships and in 2012, became the first American football coach in history to win 600 games. In addition to Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame Night, Saturday is also Pirates & Princesses Night presented by 101.7 Chuck FM and Blackbeard’s Cove. A special package for this night includes two tickets, two food vouchers, and a tiara or pirate hat for $25. Come out dressed like your favorite pirate or princess. You do not want to miss any of the fun! Ever dream of rounding third base and heading for home at The Joe? Saturday night is another chance to make that dream come true as kids are able to run around the diamond every Saturday, with the Postgame Kids Run the Bases program presented by CPI Security Systems.
-RIVERDOGS-
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