SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

6-Run Third Inning Lifts RiverDogs Past Sand Gnats, 8-4

Published on April 26, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Third baseman Garrison Lassiter drove home three runs and Charleston exploded for six runs in the third inning as the RiverDogs cruised to an 8-4 victory over the Savannah Sand Gnats in South Atlantic League action Sunday in front of 2,580 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

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

Charleston ignited for six runs in the third inning on four hits, four walks, an error, one wild pitch and a passed ball. Taylor Grote, who won Saturday's game on an eighth-inning two-run home run, singled home a run and Lassiter tripled home two more to highlight the frame.

D.J. Mitchell (3-0) remained perfect on the season as the former Clemson standout went six complete innings and surrendered four runs on six hits while striking out six. Relievers Brandon Braboy and Brad Rulon preserved the victory as they combined for three scoreless innings while allowing no hits and striking out three. The three RiverDogs pitchers did not allow a walk in the contest while striking out 10, again one shy of the season's best.

Savannah took an early 1-0 advantage in the top of the third when Juan Lagares reached on an infield single. After a groundout and stolen base advanced Lagares to third, Jordany Valdespin lifted a pop fly that dropped into shallow right and Lagares scored the game's first run.

Then Charleston crossed home six times to take control of the contest and sailed to victory.

In the fifth inning, Grote doubled down the right field line and scored on Lassiter's RBI single through the right side to increase the score 7-1.

The Sand Gnats pushed three runs across in the sixth to narrow the gap to 7-4 when Jefry Marte and Sean Ratliff recorded back-to-back singles, and then Eric Campbell hammered a three-run homer over the left field fence for his second round-tripper of the season.

The RiverDogs extended the lead to 8-4 in the sixth when Ray Kruml opened the frame with a triple to right and scored on David Adams' sacrifice fly to center.

The RiverDogs posted nine hits while Lassiter, Grote and Adams each collected two while the Sand Gnats recorded six hits with no one securing more than one.

Savannah starter Elvin Ramirez (2-1) lost for the first time this season as he lasted only 2.2 stanzas and was charged with six runs on five hits while walking four and striking out one.

The RiverDogs will go for their first series sweep of the '09 campaign on Monday night at 7:05 as Charleston gives the ball to southpaw Manny Banuelos (1-0, 4.61 ERA) while Savannah counters with righty Jeurys Familia (2-0, 0.63 ERA).

Check out the Charleston RiverDogs Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 26, 2009


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