CHARLESTON, S.C. — A fifth inning triple by Austin Aune and a squeeze play was all the offense needed for the Charleston RiverDogs to blank the Kannapolis Intimidators 1-0 Thursday night in front of 5,003 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
After four and a half scoreless innings, the RiverDogs finally broke the 0-0 tie in the bottom of the fifth. Aune led off the frame with a triple, and then Derek Toadvine laid down a sacrifice bunt to drive in the lone run in Thursday’s tilt.
Jordan Foley (3-2) went the first five innings for the RiverDogs (6-9 second half, 40-45 overall) and only gave up four hits. Sean Carley and Angel Rincon came out of the bullpen and combined to keep the Intimidators off the board for the final four innings.
Rincon’s scoreless innings streak increased to 11, as he has not allowed a run since arriving in Charleston. He also worked around a one-out single in the ninth to earn his first save of the season. The RiverDogs’ pitching staff has only allowed 10 runs (eight earned) in the last six games at home, but the offense has only managed six runs in the six games on the homestand.
The RiverDogs were out-hit 9-5, and yet managed to keep Kannapolis (7-8, 42-42) off the board. The Intimidators went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Luis Martinez (3-8) took the loss for the Intimidators after giving up the lone run in the fifth.
BOX SCORE: http://atmilb.com/1J7eS31
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
BALLPARK FUN: DJ Natty Heavy kept the Thirsty Thursday crowd entertained in the packed Ashley View Pub. Fans danced the night away to popular tunes throughout the entire game. The mascot dance party gave the crowd a huge laugh as the game came to a close. The dunk tank was also a huge success as the bullseye was struck many times during the night. Many great catches were made throughout the crowd on foul balls that peppered the stadium.
COMING UP: The RiverDogs continue their five-game home series against Kannapolis Friday at 7:05 p.m. Charleston will send RHP Joey Maher (1-4, 2.56 ERA) to the mound against RHP Yency Almonte (6-4, 4.19 ERA) for the Intimidators. You can watch the game on MiLB.tv or listen to the action on “The Big Talker” 1250 WTMA, WTMA.com, and RiverDogs.com.
Friday is the seventh ISHPI Red Shirt Friday of the season and is presented by WEZL, with postgame fireworks over the scenic Ashley River presented by Home Telecom. Support the military by wearing red and when you come to the box office, you can receive $1 off your ticket. Fans will then have the option to donate that dollar to Canines for Veterans, who will once again bring “Titus the Bat Dog” to perform his batboy duties during the game. The RiverDogs will once again wear their special red jerseys as a show of support for our military. Friday is also Watermelon Night at The Joe, so join us as we celebrate one of the summer’s best fruits and get your own slice as you leave the park courtesy of the South Carolina Watermelon Association. Little sluggers hit the field for Friday’s Advanced Hitting Clinic.
-RIVERDOGS-
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