Late Rally Downs Gnats In Charleston
Published on April 25, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. - The RiverDogs (9-7) scored seven unanswered runs to defeat the Savannah Sand Gnats, 7-5, on Saturday night in front of 5,709 at The Joe. Savannah led 5-0 at one point before Charleston mounted their comeback.
The deciding blow came in the eighth with Savannah (10-6) clinging to a one-run lead. Brian Baisley, who cleared the bases with a double in the fifth off starter Kyle Allen, singled off Eric Beaulac (1-1) to start the frame for the RiverDogs. Beaulac (1-1), trying to keep the pinch runner Dan Brewer close at first, threw the ball away on the pickoff attempt and Brewer advanced to third.
He battled to strike out Abraham Almonte but then surrendered a two-run home run to Taylor Grote that pushed Charleston ahead for good. They added an insurance run later in the inning.
Pat Venditte, the switch pitcher, picked up his fifth save in the ninth and recorded three strikeouts.
It was all Savannah early on as they scored the first five runs of the game. Sean Ratliff led off the third inning with a double but would score on the same play as the throw into the infield from Ray Kruml was off line. At the time, Savannah was up 4-0.
Rafael Fernandez finished 3-for-4 with a stolen base while Josh Satin and Juan Lagares each added a pair of hits. Allen worked 4.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
These same two teams meet tomorrow for the second game of this three-game series with the first pitch at 5:05 p.m. from Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in Charleston. RHP Elvin Ramirez (2-0, 1.15) takes the ball for Savannah and looks to halt the losing streak at two. Standing in his way will be D.J. Mitchell (2-0, 1.00), who defeated the Gnats on Tuesday in Savannah.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 25, 2009
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- Legends win series opener over Hot Rods 8-1 - Lexington Legends
- Grote's 8th Inning Bomb Lifts Charleston to 7-5 Victory - Charleston RiverDogs
- D'Arnaud delivers in Power Victory - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Late Rally Downs Gnats In Charleston - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Asheville Handles Drive - Asheville Tourists
- Kannapolis outhits Crawdads in loss - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Hamilton Walks Off for Fourth Straight Victory - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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