SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Nunez' Walkoff Walk Helps RiverDogs Tailor GreenJackets

Published on August 17, 2007 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


Luis Nunez drew a bases-loaded, two-out walkoff walk in the bottom of the 10th inning and Eric Hacker fired five perfect innings as the Charleston RiverDogs edged the Augusta GreenJackets, 4-3, in South Atlantic League action Friday night in front of 5,022 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

The RiverDogs opened a crucial seven-game homestand with the victory to improve to 31-22 in the season's second half and 68-55 overall, while the first half Southern Division champion GreenJackets fell to 30-24 and a league-best 80-44.

With the bases loaded in the 10th against Augusta's All-Star reliever Juan Trinidad (3-3), Nunez, who entered the game as a replacement for Tim O'Brien in the fourth inning, faced a 0-2 count before watching three consecutive sliders fall out of the strike zone. After fouling off one 3-2 pitch, Nunez took a high fastball for ball four.

After James Cooper flied out to left field to begin the bottom of the tenth, Seth Fortenberry lined with a single to right. Kevin Smith then bounced a ground-rule double over the left field wall, placing runners on second and third base.

Kyle Anson drew a walk to load the bases, but Josue Calzado followed with a bouncer to the pitcher Trinidad, who got Fortenberry out at the plate but Calzado was safe at first base as the catcher's throw hit him in the back. Nunez then followed with his game-winning walk.

Hacker, although not involved with the decision, retired all 15 batters he faced over his five frames of work and struck out one. On a night with the wind blowing in, the right-hander got 10 outs on fly balls and four on groundouts.

The RiverDogs no-hit bid was broken up with one out in the sixth when Mike McBryde hit a seeing-eye roller through the middle off of RiverDogs reliever Ferdin Tejeda.

Down 3-1 entering the ninth, the GreenJackets tied the game against Charleston reliever Bryan Villalona, who was attempting to secure his first save of the season. Joey Dyche led off the ninth with a single up the middle and was followed by Burris' single through the right side of the infield that sent Dyche to third.

After Burris stole second, pinch hitter Matt Weston drove home Dyche when he bounced out to the first baseman Smith. The with Burris on third, Brett Pill drove home the tying run with another grounder to first to knot the score at 3-3 to send the game into extra innings.

Charleston took the lead early against Augusta starter Kevin Pucetas, the league's leader in earned run average and wins. In the second inning Anson and Calzado lined back-to-back singles, and each advanced on a passed ball. With one out, Anson scored on Brian Aragon's sacrifice fly to left field handing the hosts a quick 1-0 lead.

The RiverDogs increased their lead to 2-0 when Smith opened the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo home run to right field that came on a 3-2 offering from Pucetas. It was Smith's sixth round-tripper of the season.

Charleston added another run in the fifth with two outs against reliever David Newton. After two were retired, Smith singled down the left field line and Anson followed with a walk. Calzado then doubled to left field to plate Smith, handing the RiverDogs a 3-0 advantage.

Augusta recorded their first run in the seventh inning when Emmanuel Burriss doubled to left, stole third base and scored on a throwing error by Anson, the RiverDogs catcher.

Calzado and Smith each paced the RiverDogs' 11-hit attack with three knocks while Mitch Hilligoss added a pair to extend his current hitting streak to ten games. Of the six hits that Augusta got, Burriss led the way with a pair.

Charleston reliever Jonathan Hovis, who continues to lead the South Atlantic League in saves, earned the win, improving his mark to 2-5. In the process, he pitched 1.1 innings, and allowed one hit, one walk and struck out one.

The second contest in this four-game block is set for Saturday at 7:05 p.m. with a pair of impressive southpaws going against each other. Charleston will send ace lefty Mike Dunn (12-4, 3.03 ERA) to the hill while Augusta counters with Clayton Tanner (11-7, 3.15 ERA).

Check out the Charleston RiverDogs Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 17, 2007


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