SAL1 Greensboro Grasshoppers

Charleston's Arbiso Shuts Down Hoppers In Opener

Published on July 23, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release


GREENSBORO, NC -- Charleston starter Cory Arbiso (3-6) was dominant on the hill against the Greensboro Grasshoppers tonight, as the righty tossed eight innings of no-hit baseball to give the RiverDogs an 8-2 win in the series opener.

After retiring the side 1-2-3 in the first inning, Arbiso issued back-to-back free passes in the second but worked past the jam thanks to a nice defensive play by third basemen Corban Joseph.

Joseph also contributed at the plate in the RiverDogs next at-bat, slicing a line single into left field to plate Chase Weems, who had reached on a single of his own to begin the frame.

Arbiso settled in nicely after his offense provided the one-run cushion, allowing just one runner on an error in the infield, but quickly erased the defensive miscue with the help of a 5-4-3 double play ball.

Three singles in the RiverDogs' following at-bat padded their one-run lead with two additional runs, thanks in large part to the speedy Abraham Almonte, who scored a run after a leadoff single and two stolen bases.

Melky Mesa added to the lead with his 19th home run of the season in the seventh, a wowing blast over the hill beyond the left field fence. A four-run ninth topped off the Charleston offensive, highlighted by the speedster Almonte's leadoff triple and Neall French's two-RBI single with two outs in the inning.

But tonight's show went to Arbiso, who tossed six hitless frames after his wild second, and picked up the win after making just his third start in 23 appearances this season.

Arbiso toed the rubber in the eighth inning eyeing the Sally League's first no-hitter since July 23rd of a season ago.

He retired the Hoppers' in order again in the eighth, sitting down the Hoppers in succession for the third straight inning, and the sixth time over the eight-inning span.

Arbiso left the ballgame after the conclusion of his perfect eighth, but left the no-hit, eight-run lead for reliever Charles Nolte. The right-hander would close the door on the win for Arbiso, but surrendered the Hoppers' first hit to the leadoff man in the ninth.

Daniel Pertusati, who ended Arbiso's chances of the no-no, broke the ice with a chopper in the hole to deep short. The Hoppers' second-basemen beat the throw from the short stop, and gave the Grasshoppers their first base runner since Kyle Skipworth reached on an error in the third.

A walk in the next at-bat coupled with two straight wild pitches helped the Hoppers avoid the shutout, but ultimately fell to Charleston 8-2.

The Grasshoppers (44-51) have now lost a season-high five straight games, and have opened their current home stand with their first loss against Charleston this season. The series will continue tomorrow evening, when the Hoppers host Charleston for game two.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 23, 2009


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