Dogs Stunned in Loss to Power, Drop 4-3 Decision in Extras

June 18, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release

CHARLESTON, WV - The Charleston RiverDogs grabbed the lead twice on key home runs by Angel Aguilar and Leonardo Molina, but the West Virginia Power would fight back to take a 4-3 extra inning victory over the RiverDogs in 12 innings on Saturday night at Appalachian Power Park.

Aguilar broke open a scoreless tie for the RiverDogs in the top of the fourth inning. With one out, the Barinas, Venezuela native belted a solo home run to left field that put Charleston on the board first.

West Virginia answered back with a run of their own in the bottom half. After allowing just one hit through the first three innings, Charleston starter Daris Vargas hit Logan Ratledge with a pitch with one out, and followed up with a walk to Carlos Munoz. With runners on first and second, Casey Hughston ripped a double to left to make it a 1-1 ballgame.

In the fifth Molina turned on a pitch to collect his second long ball of the season as the RiverDogs went deep on Power starter Bret Helton for the second time, this time with a two-run shot that made it 3-1. RiverDogs second baseman Gosuke Katoh drew a one out walk to set up the blast from the 18-year-old outfielder.

In the fifth controversy would strike as West Virginia would tie up the ballgame with what went down as a two run inside-the-park home run. After Logan Hill walked to lead off the frame and stole second, John Bormann ripped a ball down the right field line. The ball bounded into foul territory where it was pursued by RiverDogs right fielder Jhalan Jackson, who lost the ball as it was caught up in the rolled up tarp in foul territory. Jackson threw up his arms to call for a ground rule double, but it was not granted by the umpires who saw a second ball lying next to the tarp behind Jackson. After a five to ten minute delay with the entire RiverDogs team arguing the call and the original ball finally being extracted from the rolled up tarp, the call still stood as a home run and the ballgame was tied at three apiece. The RiverDogs would play the remainder of the game under protest.

The game remained tied all the way to the twelfth after both teams squandering one out bases loaded chances, the RiverDogs in the seventh and the Power in the eleventh, before Logan Ratledge's single drove in Mitchell Tolman who double, all with two outs, to lift the Power to the 4-3 victory.

One of Charleston's five all-star representatives this coming Tuesday, Vargas lasted five innings in his start, allowing three runs on three hits while walking three and striking out six in a no decision effort. Hobie Harris was solid in relief, logging 3.2 scoreless innings with three hits allowed. Jose Mesa (0-3) took the loss while logging three complete innings down the stretch.

Upcoming

The RiverDogs continue their four-game set in Charleston North as they go for the series victory in Sunday afternoon's finale at 2:05 pm at Appalachian Power Park. The RiverDogs will send LHP Nestor Cortes (3-1, 0.98) as West Virginia counters with RHP Gage Hinsz (1-1, 4.41). Charleston will finish up the series on Sunday heading into the three day all-star break before they open the second half with a four-game series on the road against the Rome Braves from June 23-26.

Ticket information for the RiverDogs homestand and any of the remaining home games can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com. Those that can't make it to the park can follow every pitch of the RiverDogs season on WTMA 1250 AM and streaming online at riverdogs.com. Listen on WTMA 1250 AM in the tri-county area.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 18, 2016

• Power win 4-3 - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Dogs Stunned in Loss to Power, Drop 4-3 Decision in Extras - Charleston RiverDogs
• Dogs Stunned in Loss to Power, Drop 4-3 Decision in Extras - Charleston RiverDogs
• 'Dads Split Doubleheader vs. Delmarva - Hickory Crawdads
• Legends Score Three in Ninth, Win 6-5 - Lexington Legends
• Drive Cool off Suns, 7-1 - Greenville Drive
• Pujols Slam Hands Intimidators 9-1 Loss - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Pujols' Grand Slam Pushes Claws to 9-1 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• GreenJackets Drop Heartbreaker in 9th - Augusta GreenJackets
• Hagerstown Loses to Greenville 7-1, But Clinches First Half - Hagerstown Suns
• Diehl Homers Again in Extra-Inning Loss - Columbia Fireflies
• Hilliard the Hero with Walk-Off Home Run - Asheville Tourists
• Delmarva Splits Double-Header in Bittersweet Fashion - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Comeback Trail Ends in Paradise - Rome Emperors
• Johan Cruz Placed on DL - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Fireflies Game Notes: June 18 at Asheville (Game 69) - Columbia Fireflies
• WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Delmarva Shorebirds Game Notes for Saturday, June 18 - Delmarva Shorebirds

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