SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Charleston Trounces Braves, 6-4

Published on April 18, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC -Taylor Grote slammed his first home run and a trio of RiverDogs pitchers struck out eight Braves as the RiverDogs trounced Rome for the 6-4 triumph in South Atlantic League action Friday night in front of 4,090 fans at Rome's State Mutual Stadium.

With the victory, the RiverDogs and improve to 6-3 on the season while the Braves fall to 4-5.

Charleston took an early 1-0 advantage in the top of the third inning when Ray Kruml was hit by a pitch with two outs only to sprint around the bases and scored the game's first run when David Adams hit his first double of the game to left.

The Braves responded to tie the game 1-1 in the bottom half of the third inning after CJ Lee reached on a throwing error by shortstop Carmen Angelini. A single by Joel Campusano to right allowed Lee to dash into third base and then Ryan Barba lined a single to right that plated Lee.

The RiverDogs exploded for four runs in the top of the sixth to take a commanding 5-1 lead when third baseman Garrison Lassiter singled up the middle. Mitch Abeita drew a walk that advanced Lassiter to second. With two men on, Angelini hit a ground ball back to Rome's pitcher Yeliar Castro who threw the ball into center field for an error in attempt to start a double play. With the ball in center field, Lassiter and Abeita scored on the play while Angelini safely reached second base. Kruml followed with a single to right field that allowed Angelini to sprint safely to home plate. Adams added a single that advanced Kruml to third for Brian Baisley who hit a sacrifice fly to left as Kruml scored the inning's fourth run.

Rome answered in the bottom of the sixth inning as Barba drew a leadoff walk and safely reached second base after Luis Sumoza singled to center. Gerry Rodriguez grounded into a fielder's choice that advanced Barba to third but eliminated Sumoza at second. With runners on the corners, Charleston starter David Phelps threw a wild pitch to the backstop and Barba safely scored from third to cut into the RiverDogs advantage, 5-2.

Charleston reclaimed a four-run advantage in the top of the seventh when Grote smashed his first home run as a RiverDog over the right-center field wall for the 6-2 lead.

The Braves continued to chip away at the RiverDogs lead in the bottom of the seventh when Braeden Schlehuber drew a leadoff walk and then sprinted to third when Lee doubled into left field. Campusano laced a single up the middle that drove in Schlehuber and cut Charleston's advantage in half, 6-3.

Rome narrowed the deficit to within two, 6-4, when Rodriguez cracked a leadoff solo home run over the center field fence.

Charleston closer Pat Venditte, professional baseball's only ambidextrous pitcher, shut the door on Rome in the ninth by striking out two Braves batters en route to collecting his third save of the season.

RiverDogs starter Phelps (2-0) continued his excellence over the Braves in check over six innings pitched. While on the mound he allowed five hits, two runs (one earned), one walk, and four strike outs.

The RiverDogs 10-hit performance tonight was the fourth consecutive game Charleston has amassed double-digits in hits and sixth this season.

Charleston centerfielder Abraham Almonte collected two hits on the night and extended his hitting streak to eight games.

The RiverDogs complete their four-game series with Rome Sunday afternoon as they turn to right-hander Brett Marshall (0-0, 0.00 ERA) while Rome is scheduled to send righty Richard Sullivan (2-0, 3.60 ERA) to take the hill. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. at Rome's State Mutual Stadium.

After the finale in Rome, Charleston plays two at Savannah before another three-game block at Augusta before returning to the friendly confines of Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Saturday, April 25 for a three-game set versus Savannah.

Check out the Charleston RiverDogs Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from April 18, 2009


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.

OurSports Central