Charleston Sweeps Tuesday Doubleheader From Rome
September 1, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release
ROME, Ga.- Strong pitching proved to be the difference for the Charleston RiverDogs, who swept the Rome Braves by finals of 1-0 and 2-0 in South Atlantic League action at State Mutual Stadium Tuesday evening.
With the victories, the RiverDogs improve to 30-33 in the second half (69-64 overall), while the Rome Braves fall to 29-34 in the second half (64-69 overall).
In game one, Charleston's Chuck Nolte and Rome's Zeke Spruill both tossed one-hit baseball through four scoreless innings, but it would Spruill to blink first in the fifth to give the RiverDogs a 1-0 lead.
After Spruill fanned the first two batters, Ray Kruml reached on an error, stole second, and scored on Jose Pirela's RBI single to centerfield. The next hitter Abraham Almonte singled to right field on a 2-2 pitch to increase his hitting streak to 23 games, which is tied for the highest in the SAL this year.
Nolte took a no-decision in his first professional start, allowing just one hit through four innings with no walks and a season-high six strikeouts. Right-hander Jeff Williams (2-2) pitched the final three innings with three strikeouts to pick up the victory. Combined, Nolte and Williams retired 15 of the final 17 Rome batters between the second and seventh innings.
Spruill (8-6) took the loss surrendering an unearned run on three hits in five innings pitched with six punchouts, while Yeliar Castro threw two scoreless innings in relief.
Charleston started the festivities early in game two against Randall Delgado, receiving a first-pitch leadoff double from Pirela, who would then score with two outs in the inning on Melky Mesa's RBI double for a 1-0 score.
RiverDogs starter Paul Patterson, making his first SAL appearance since Aug. 2007, threw three innings of shutout baseball permitting four hits while walking none and striking out one.
Taylor Grote extended Charleston's lead to 2-0 with a sixth inning RBI single off Delgado, who was removed in the inning for David Francis. Delgado (4-10) allowed seven hits and two run in 5.2 innings with six strikeouts.
Gabriel Tatis (2-2) tossed three hitless innings of relief to notch his first win since Aug. 14, while reigning SAL Pitcher of the Week Luke Prihoda threw an uneventful ninth with two strikeouts to get his second save. Tatis and Prihoda combined to no-hit Rome over the last four innings, retiring the final 10 batters and 15 of the last 16.
Grote collected two of Charleston's hits in game two, while Rome had four hits by four different players.
Wednesday's series and 2009 road finale is scheduled for a special 1 p.m. start time, and features Charleston throwing right-hander Cory Arbiso (4-7, 5.19 ERA), while Rome plans to toss right-hander Julio Teheran (1-3, 4.94 ERA).
South Atlantic League Stories from September 1, 2009
- Inside-The-Park Home Run Sinks Suns - Hagerstown Suns
- Grasshoppers spring past Crawdads in opener - Hickory Crawdads
- Rome Shutout Twice - Rome Emperors
- A Two-For-Tuesday For Kyeong Kang - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Charleston Sweeps Tuesday Doubleheader From Rome - Charleston RiverDogs
- Huntzinger, Bullpen Halt Hot Rods, 3-0, for Drive's 12th Shutout - Greenville Drive
- West Virgina powers by Kannapolis, 7-3 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Asheville Comes Up Short In Game One - Asheville Tourists
- Leach Strong Again In Power Victory - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Pellegrini ties single-season HR mark in Legends win - Lexington Legends
- Pitching Earns GreenJackets Earn Key Twinbill Sweep - Augusta GreenJackets
- Weird Hit Wins it for Lakewood - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- GreenJackets Take Twin Bill - Savannah Sand Gnats
- McLouth to Rehab in Rome - Rome Emperors
- Tree Planting Scheduled for Wednesday - Rome Emperors
- Bolden promoted to AAA Oklahoma City - Hickory Crawdads
- GreenJackets Extend "Fan Appreciation Weekend" - Augusta GreenJackets
- BlueClaws Clinch 2009 Attendance Title - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Former Sand Gnat Josh Thole Called Up To New York - Savannah Sand Gnats
- RiverDogs Return Thursday for Final Homestand - Charleston RiverDogs
- Beckham Named South Atlantic League All-Star - Bowling Green Hot Rods
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
