SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Five-Run Eighth Inning Propels Charleston to Comeback Win Over Rome, 7-6

Published on April 11, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


Charleston exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, highlighted by Jesus Montero's three-run, two-out double, as the RiverDogs came from five behind to beat the Rome Braves, 7-6, in South Atlantic League action Friday night in front of a season-high 6,012 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

The RiverDogs win a fifth straight game and improve to 8-1 on the early season. They retain first place in the Southern Division standings, and have yet to bat in the bottom of the ninth at home. Rome slips to 4-5.

Down 6-2 after seven innings, Charleston began the eighth rally with back-to-back one-out doubles by Carmen Angelini and Austin Krum to make the score 6-3. Then after Abraham Almonte grounded out, Rome pitcher Carlos Rivas issued consecutive walks to Justin Snyder and Wady Rufino to load the bases.

Montero battled to a 3-2 count, then lined a double down the left field line to clear the bases and tie the game. He was then awarded home after a two-base throwing error by left fielder Cody Johnson, who skied his toss to the plate trying to throw out the tying run.

Rome staged a brief rally in the top of the ninth with consecutive two-out infield hits, but closer Jonathan Ortiz got Johnson on a game-ending groundout to first base.

Snyder, who entered the night as the league's leading hitter at .464, led Charleston with three hits and reached base all five times at the plate. He homered for the first time this season, a solo shot to right field in the seventh which kick-started the comeback from five runs down. Snyder also collected two singles to go along with two bases on balls.

Rome opened the game with five consecutive singles and then a RiverDogs error that led to a quick 5-0 lead against Charleston starter Adam Olbrychowski. Cole Miles, Michael Fisher, Jason Heyward, Johnson and Freddie Freeman all stroked singles in succession, and Concepcion Rodriguez reached base on a fielding error by the shortstop Angelini.

Charleston chipped at the lead with a run in the bottom of the first when Snyder singled, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Montero's RBI single to make the score 5-1.

Rome returned back to a five-run lead at 6-1 in the top of the fifth when Freeman doubled down the right field line, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on Rodriguez's sacrifice fly to center.

The RiverDogs staged a rally in the sixth frame but failed to score as they left the bases loaded. Charleston stranded 10 runners on base through the first seven innings.

Montero, who plated four runs on the night, had two hits to match that of Brandon Laird.

Rome, which collected 12 hits on the night, was led by Fisher's three knocks. Miles, Heyward and Freeman each recorded a pair.

Reliever Craig Heyer (1-0) picked up his first win of the season as he pitched the seventh and eighth innings and retired all six batters he faced. Rome reliever Tommy Palica (1-1) suffered the loss as he went 1.2 innings and was charged with five runs on three hits while walking two and striking out two.

Game 2 of this four-game block is set for Saturday at 7:05 p.m. with Charleston sending right-hander Zach McAllister (1-0, 0.00 ERA) to the hill while Rome counters with lefty Steven Evarts (1-0, 0.00 ERA).

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 11, 2008


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