'Dogs Rally in Ninth, Stun 'Birds in Tenth
August 4, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release
CHARLESTON, SC - The Charleston RiverDogs rallied to tie it in the bottom of the ninth and win it in the 10th to stun the Delmarva Shorebirds 3-2 on Sunday night at Joe Riley Park.
With the Shorebirds (27-15, 75-36) leading 2-0 heading into the ninth, Welfrin Mateo poked a one-out single and Ryan Lidge worked a full count walk. Eduardo Torrealba then hit a grounder to second that could have ended the game, but the ball skidded underneath Ryne Ogren's glove and into center, allowing Mateo to score to make it 2-1. After a strikeout, Oswald Peraza stared down the potential final strike and drew a full count walk to load the bases. Then on a 2-2 pitch with Canaan Smith at the plate, Delmarva's Felix Bautista threw wildly to the plate, allowing pinch runner Oliver Dunn to scamper home, and the RiverDogs (20-23, 57-56) drew even at 2-2 to force extras.
Delmarva failed to score in the top of the 10th, and Smith began the bottom of the 10th at second base for Charleston. After two quick outs, Eric Wagaman walked to bring up Mateo, who slashed a gapper to right center for a walkoff single, scoring Smith to set off a wild celebration for the RiverDog faithful.
Keegan Curtis (1-0) earned the win in relief for the RiverDogs with a scoreless ninth and 10th out of the bullpen. Jhon Peluffo (1-4) took the loss for the Shorebirds after allowing the unearned free run to score in the 10th.
The loss was just Delmarva's second this season when leading after eight innings; the Shorebirds had been 56-1 in such games before Sunday.
After the game started an hour late due to rain, the Shorebirds immediately hopped in front in the first inning. Adam Hall and Jean Carlos Encarnacion worked back-to-back two-out walks, and Ogren then pulled a low liner down the left field line for a two-run double, putting Delmarva in the driver's seat at 2-0.
Charleston tried and failed to break through on multiple occasions, stranding two men on base in the third, fifth, and sixth innings before coming alive in the ninth.
Delmarva finished with just three hits on the night, Ogren's two-run double and back-to-back singles from Nick Horvath and Zach Watson in the fifth.
Mateo finished his big night at 2-for-5 with a run and the game-ending RBI. Mickey Gasper also had two hits for the RiverDogs.
Delmarva got five scoreless out of Ryan Wilson, who surrendered just four hits and three walks while striking out three in a no-decision. Matt De La Rosa notched his SAL-leading 10th hold of the season with a scoreless sixth and seventh.
Charleston's Harold Cortijo lasted five innings in his own no-decision, giving up two runs on three hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Tim Hardy kept it close for the RiverDogs with three scoreless out of the bullpen.
The Shorebirds will try and pick up the pieces in game three of the series on Monday night. Hector Guance (8-4, 3.87) is set to start for Delmarva against Charleston's Jhony Brito (4-3, 3.06). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., and pregame coverage on Fox Sports 960 AM and the MiLB First Pitch App begins at 6:50 with Will DeBoer on the call.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 4, 2019
- Charleston Rallies Late, Mateo Walks off Shorebirds - Charleston RiverDogs
- 'Dogs Rally in Ninth, Stun 'Birds in Tenth - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Two Wins Are Better Than One - Fireflies Take First Two in Series against Suns - Columbia Fireflies
- Fireflies Sweep Suns in Abbreviated Doubleheader - Hagerstown Suns
- Drive Fall to Greensboro on Sunday - Greenville Drive
- Onyshko Fans a Career-High Eight Batters in 7-2 Loss - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Eight-Run First Inning Puts T's Back in the Win Column - Asheville Tourists
- Eight-Run First Keys Tourists Sunday 13-6 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Game Notes (August 4) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Fireflies Roster Move and Game Notes: August 4 at Hagerstown (Games 108 & 109) - Columbia Fireflies
- Lineup Stays Switched Off in 7-2 Loss to Power - Rome Emperors
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