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Charleston RiverDogs

Grote's 8th Inning Bomb Lifts Charleston to 7-5 Victory

April 25, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Taylor Grote tattooed a two-run blast over the left-center field fence in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the Charleston RiverDogs to a 7-5 comeback victory over the Savannah Sand Gnats in South Atlantic League action Saturday night in front of 5,709 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

After four and one-half innings, the RiverDogs were down 5-0 and rallied for four runs in the fifth frame and three tallies in the eighth.

With the victory, the RiverDogs improve to 9-7 overall and 5-2 at home while the Sand Gnats drop to 10-6.

Savannah snatched an early 1-0 advantage in the top of the first inning when Jordany Valdespin drew a leadoff walk and then dashed into second after a groundout by Jefry Marte. Valdespin created chaos on the base paths when he stole third only to trot home when catcher Mitch Abeita's throw sailed into the outfield.

The Sand Gnats continued to illuminate the scoreboard in the second frame to take a 3-0 lead. Kai Gronauer walked to kick-start the inning and sprinted to second after Rafael Ramirez's single to right. Following a Joshua Satin walk loaded the bases, Juan Lagares slapped a single to left that plated Gronauer and Satin.

Savannah tacked an additional run for a 4-0 lead in the visiting half of the third when Sean Ratliff doubled off the left field wall and then circled the bases when left fielder Ray Kruml's throw slipped through the infield for an error.

The Sand Gnats took what seemed to be a commanding 5-0 advantage in the fifth frame after Eric Campbell reached on a Carmen Angelini throwing error. After two quick outs, Satin lined a double to right that scored Campbell.

Charleston's bats awakened for four runs in the home half of the fifth that cut into the deficit at 5-4 when Abeita lined a triple over center fielder Rafael Fernandez's head. Garrison Lasstier then lifted a sacrifice fly that plated Abeita. Angelini followed with an infield single and Kruml cracked a single to left field. David Adams walked to load the bases for Brian Baisley, who delivered the knockout blow in the inning with a lined three-run double that cleared the bases.

The RiverDogs mounted a final charge that resulted in glorious fashion in the home half of the eighth when Baisley singled to right to lead off the inning. Pinch running for Baisley, Dan Brewer enticed a wild pickoff attempt by Savannah reliever Eric Beaulac and then sprinted to third when the ball caromed into the RiverDogs' bullpen. With the tying run only 90-feet away, Grote delivered a line drive two-run homer over the left-center field wall that capped Charleston's comeback triumph.

RiverDogs closer Pat Venditte, professional baseball's only ambidextrous pitcher, locked down the final three outs in the ninth inning, throwing to two batters right-handed and two left-handed. In the process, he collected his fifth save, which puts him in second place in the SAL.

Charleston had eight hits on the night with Baisley and Lassiter each recording a pair while Savannah had 11 hits with Fernandez leading the way with three.

RiverDogs reliever Cory Arbiso earned the victory to balance his record at 1-1 as he pitched 2/3 of an inning. Arbiso earned the victory while throwing only two pitches, one of which went for a double-play.

Savannah starter Kyle Allen went 4.2 innings and surrendered four runs on five hits while walking two and striking out three. Beaulac, who threw the final three innings for the Sand Gnats, suffered the loss that evened his record at 1-1.

The RiverDogs square off against the Sand Gnats in game two of a three-game set Sunday as Charleston sends former Clemson right-hander D.J. Mitchell (2-0, 1.00 ERA) to the hill while Savannah counters with righty Elvin Ramirez (2-0, 1.15 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. or 30 minutes after The Citadel-Georgia Southern game.

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