SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Pesky Sand Gnats Smother Dogs in 4-2 Comeback Win

Published on August 10, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Brett Marshall penned 7.0 shutout innings for the RiverDogs, but Charleston's bullpen could not hold a 1-0 lead in a 4-2 loss to Savannah in front of 2,769 fans in South Atlantic League action at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Tuesday night.

With the victory, Savannah wins four-straight for the first time since July 7-10 and improves to 19-26, 61-54 overall. With the loss, Charleston extends its losing skid to four games for the first time since June 25-28 and falls back under .500 at 22-23, 53-61 overall.

Marshall and Savannah starter Collin McHugh locked horns in a memorable duel through 5.0 innings, but after Marshall finished his half of the sixth, Charleston mounted momentum on consecutive walks to Slade Heathcott and Kevin Mahoney to start the frame. Rob Lyerly then ripped a screamer off the glove of first baseman Alex Gregory to score Heathcott from second, giving the RiverDogs the first lead of the game 1-0.

McHugh worked 6.0 full innings in a no-decision, permitting one run on five this with the two walks and six strikeouts.

In his best start of the season, Marshall gave up just two Savannah singles with no walks and two punchouts. The Texas native retired the first 13 batters he faced, but would be forced into a no-decision after the eighth inning.

RiverDogs All-Star reliever Ryan Flannery (5-6) was brought in for the second time in the series and gave up a leadoff single to R.J. Harris then beamed Alex Gregory to put runners on first and second. Flannery walked Dock Doyle to load the bases for Wilfredo Tovar.

Tovar's RBI groundout scored Harris from third and broke up the RiverDogs shutout bid, 1-1. With two runners in scoring position, Matt Den Dekker singled to left-centerfield to plate Gregory and Doyle to give Savannah a 3-1 advantage going into the bottom of the eighth.

Flannery allowed three runs against the Sand Gnats for the second straight appearance, after surrendering just four earned runs combined over his previous 46 innings.

Heathcott blasted his second SAL triple into right-centerfield to start the inning against Marcos Tabata (3-1), and second baseman Kevin Mahoney drove him home with a RBI single to bring the RiverDogs within one at 3-2 Savannah.

Brandon Sage came onto the scene and retired the last six batters, four on strikeouts, to notch his second save in a row and third of the season.

Lyerly posted his second straight multi-hit game going 3-for-4 and leads the RiverDogs with 41 multi-hit efforts.

The RiverDogs head to Hickory to take on the Crawdads, the Single-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, in a five-game set. The first game of the series is set for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch Thursday night, with the RiverDogs humming right-hander Sean Black (6-7, 4.02), while Hickory counters with right-hander Braden Tullis (5-0, 2.88).

BALLPARK FUN: Not only was it a Bi-Lo Two for Tuesday and Kraft Singles Tuesday Night Tickets, with fans getting two sweet deals on tickets, but it was also Football Night at The Joe! All fans got 2-for-1 admission when they come to the RiverDogs Box Office sporting their favorite team's football jersey. The RiverDogs faithful showed that they were definitely ready for some football, as numerous Gamecock and Tiger jerseys could be found in the stands. The RiverDogs front office even got in on the action, as GM Dave Echols took on all takers for the Sack the GM competition, featuring punt, pass, kick and throw contests.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 10, 2010


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