Oliver Shuts Down Drive in 5-1 Win
July 1, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release
CHARLESTON, SC- Will Oliver fired six excellent innings for the Charleston RiverDogs and got the win a 5-1 triumph over the Greenville Drive in South Atlantic League action on Sunday evening with 2,251 in attendance at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
The win puts the RiverDogs record at 45-33 (6-5 in the second half) this season. Greenville, which had won the first two games of the five game set, falls back below .500 to 40-41 (6-5 in the second half).
"We got a solid outing by Will Oliver," said RiverDogs manager Carlos Mendoza, "some timely hitting and the bullpen closed it out. It was a nice win."
In the very first inning, the Drive used a Jose Garcia single to manufacture an early run. Garcia quickly stole second and moved to third on a ground out. He came in to score on a groundout by Garin Cecchini (3-4, RBI) for the game's first run. Charleston took advantage of an error in the bottom half when, after a leadoff single, Mason Williams went first to third on an error and scored on a double play.
The RiverDogs caught a break in the third when a line drive by Kelvin De Leon (3-4, 2 runs, RBI) ricocheted off the heel of starter Noe Ramirez (0-1) and went into short right field, allowing De Leon to reach second with a double. A single by Ali Castillo (2-3, RBI, run) put men on first and third with nobody out and Castillo then stole second. Ben Gamel cashed in on the opportunity with a two-RBI single back through the middle to make the score 3-1.
Cito Culver got another two-run rally started in the fourth when he drew a walk and stole second. De Leon picked up an RBI with a cue shot double down the right field line and an identical hit by Castillo plated De Leon to extend Charleston's lead to four runs after four innings. That margin was plenty for Oliver (3-3), who was superb. In six innings, Greenville managed only one run on five hits against him with two walks and four strikeouts.
Pedro Guerra entered in relief in the seventh and continued the strong pitching from the RiverDogs. He struck out the side in the seventh and followed that up with a scoreless eighth that included two more punch outs. Joel De La Cruz then finished off the win with a scoreless ninth inning.
BALLPARK FUN: For the first time this season at The Joe, the RiverDogs were wearing their alternate blue jerseys. Director of Merchandise Michael DeAntonio was roaming the ballpark seating bowl with a water gun, helping keep fans cool during the game.
COMING UP: In game four of this series, Charleston will start RHP Brett Gerritse (1-3, 5.63 ERA) against RHP Jason Garcia (3-4, 6.08 ERA). The organization will lend its support to Charleston Parks Conservancy for Dogs With A Cause, sponsored by 105.5 FM The Bridge. Fans can extend their weekend with $1 beers in the Ashley View Pub for Hair of the Dog Monday, thanks to 98 Rock.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 1, 2012
- Timely Hitting Gives Kannapolis 9-3 Victory - Rome Emperors
- Oliver Shuts Down Drive in 5-1 Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Crawdads Outlast 'Hoppers, 4-2, in 13 Innings - Hickory Crawdads
- Lightning Claims GreenJackets-Gnats Game - Augusta GreenJackets
- Five Homers Send Asheville Past Lexington 10-7 - Lexington Legends
- Duffy's Heroics Propel BlueClaws to Late 6-1 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Suns Hold on to Trump Lakewood 11-9 - Hagerstown Suns
- Swanner's Third Grand Slam of '12 Key in 13-8 Win - Asheville Tourists
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