SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Farnham Foils Drive's Plans for Fourth Straight Win

Published on August 24, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, S.C. - Jeff Farnham's RBI fielder's choice grounder capped a two-run rally as the Charleston RiverDogs walked off with a dramatic 5-4 11-inning victory over the Greenville Drive in South Atlantic League action Wednesday night in front of a crowd of 2,393 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

The RiverDogs snapped a four-game losing streak and improved to 24-35 this half and 50-79 overall with the win, while Greenville dropped to 32-27 and 70-59.

Charleston's Manny Barreda struck out the side in the first inning, but not before Greenville scratched out a run for a 1-0 lead. Sean Coyle walked and came plateward on a two-out RBI single by Xander Bogaerts.

The Drive piled on with two more runs to advance its cushion to 3-0 in the second on the strength of four base hits. Matty Johnson rifled a double to the right field corner to score Wilfred Pichardo for the first tally, before Brandon Jacobs capped the rally with an infield RBI single.

Greenville hurler Miguel Celestino set down the RiverDogs 1-2-3 in the first, but met some resistance in the bottom of the second. Kelvin De Leon found the hole on the left side of the infield with a single and scurried home on Jose Mojica's line drive double that sliced the Charleston deficit to 3-1.

The RiverDogs inched within 3-2 in the bottom of the third without the benefit of a hit. Farnham singled through the right side of the infield, crossed to second and third on a pair of groundouts and scored when Celestino uncorked a wild pitch on a strikeout of Ramon Flores.

Barreda had not allowed a single run over his first three outings as a starter, but was knocked around a bit in his 3.0 innings of work. The Arizona native yielded the three runs on five hits and three walks, while fanning four.

Ramon Flores delivered a clutch two-out RBI single to even the ledger at 3-3 in the fifth inning. Garrison Lassiter started the charge with a single up the middle, advanced into scoring position on a Drew Hedman fielding error and completed his journey around the bags when Flores scalded a line drive to center field.

Celestino avoided his fourth loss at the hands of the RiverDogs this season, registering a no-decision for his 5.0 innings of labor. The 6-6 righty yielded the three runs on six hits, recording four strikeouts along the way.

Both bullpens were excellent as the contest continued into extra innings. Brett Gerritse was particularly impressive after Barreda made his early exit, turning in scoreless fourth through sixth frames to allow the Charleston offense to piece together a comeback.

The Charleston bullpen's run of seven consecutive unblemished innings came to an end in the 11th, as Greenville squeaked out a tally to assume a 4-3 advantage against the RiverDogs' Yobanny Reyes (1-3). David Renfroe tagged a single through the originator, was sacrificed to second base, and touched home on a sacrifice fly by Coyle.

Tyler Lockwood (5-8) was unable to lock down the win for Greenville in the bottom of the 11th, allowing three hits and a walk to provide the final 5-4 outcome.

Kevin Mahoney got the merry-go-round started by earning a hard-fought walk, and came into plate the tying run three batters later on Mojica's opposite field RBI single. Lassiter followed up with another single to fill the sacks for Farnham, who beat out a potential double play ball to score De Leon and give the RiverDogs the win.

BALLPARK FUN: The West Ashley High School marching band delivered the keynote address with a stirring rendition of the national anthem prior to the first pitch. Fans made the most of the final Ballpark Buffet Wednesdayof the season as they got their bellies full on an all-you-can-eat basis for just $20. They were able to sample The Joe's famous hot dogs, accompanied by 8-10 toppings, potato salad, baked beans, chips and a variety of all-you-can-drink selections (beer included). Twin River Lanes human bowling provided some in-between inning entertainment and laughs on the beautiful summer evening. A symbol toting monkey kept the crowd alive as they enjoyed some bonus baseball. The RiverDogs may be young on the field, but older fans received special treatment on another SENIORS EAT FREE night. All patrons 65 and older received a complementary hot dog, chips and soda, courtesy of Pepsi.

UP NEXT: The RiverDogs and Drive wrap up their spirited season series on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Shane Greene (4-12, 4.05 ERA) has been tabbed to take the hill for Charleston, versus fellow righty Tyler Wilson (2-3, 3.80 ERA) of Greenville.

The always-popular Go Back to Ohio Night makes its return, as fans are encouraged to don Buckeye state-related apparel and have fun with a zany promotion that has become a RiverDogs staple. In-game promotions will also draw on the theme, but with apologies to former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, no handouts are promised. If that was not enough, the RiverDogs turn The Joe into a club scene with $1 beers in the Ashley View Pub and fresh music courtesy of the stylings of DJ Natty Heavy on the second-to-last Budweiser Thirsty Thursday of the campaign.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 24, 2011


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