Pirela's Single Nets Victory Over Sand Gnats, 5-4
September 5, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release
CHARLESTON- Jose Pirela roped a game-winning RBI single to centerfield to give Charleston its second straight walkoff victory, 5-4, in front of 4,019 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park Saturday evening.
With the victory, Charleston wins its 1,100th game in franchise history and has won six games in a row for the first time since July 2008 improving to 34-33 this half (73-64 overall), while Savannah has tasted defeat six straight times to drop to 29-36 this half (64-71 overall).
Charleston led off the ninth inning with back-to-back walks by Addison Maruszak and Garrison Lassiter against John Church (1-3). After back-to-back strikeouts, Pirela struck the winning knock to plate Maruszak. This marks the first time since May 7-8 that the RiverDogs have won consecutive walkoff contests.
Charleston was held without a hit through five innings against starter Zack Von Tersch, who was making his SAL debut, but Garrison Lassiter launched his second home run of the season to lead off the sixth for a 1-0 lead. After a two-out double by Pirela, Abraham Almonte walked, and Corban Joseph drove them both home with a two-run triple and a 3-0 advantage.
Manny Barreda entered in the seventh in relief of the starter Dan Kapala and promptly loaded the bases on two walks and a single. Joey August then drove in a run on a full-count walk for a 3-1 score. Alonzo Harris plated a run on an RBI fielder's choice before Raul Reyes lined a two-run triple to right-centerfield for a 4-3 Savannah lead.
The RiverDogs tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom half, Maruszak and Lassiter executed a double steal of third and second and catcher Jean Luc Blaquiere's throw bounced down the left field line to knot the affair.
Kapala took a no decision in six shutout innings allowing just four base hits, while Von Tersch did the same permitting the three sixth-inning runs on three hits with seven strikeouts.
Edwin Walker (2-0) picked up his first win since July 9, tossing 2.1 scoreless frames with three strikeouts.
Savannah's pitching proved to be effective limiting the RiverDogs to four total hits while notching 15 strikeouts, but the RiverDogs were still led by Lassiter's home run, Pirela's two hits and Joseph's two-run triple. Almonte's hitting streak did come to a close at 26 games, with an 0-for-2, two walk performance, but he did increase his on-base streak to 30 straight games, which is still good for the second longest streak in the league this season.
The Sand Gnats received two of its six hits from Reyes, while four other Sand Gnats had one hit each.
-RIVERDOGS-
BALLPARK FUN: The RiverDogs gave away Paint-It-Yourself Bobbleheads to the 1,000 fans through the turnstiles, courtesy of WCSC-TV Live 5 News, to honor the memory of team artist Andy Nelson, who passed away in October 2008. All kids 12 and under ran the bases during the post-game festivities.
COMING UP: The penultimate game of the 2009 season occurs Sunday at The Joe, with Charleston planning to pitch right-hander Chuck Nolte (4-2, 4.94 ERA), while Savannah counters with right-hander Armando Rodriguez (1-1, 2.31 ERA). Family Sunday at the ballpark is presented by Charleston Country Parks & Recreation Commission and Star 99.7 FM. Kids 12 and under eat for free, free parking is available, fans may play catch on the field during the pre-game festivities and also enjoy Reading With the RiverDogs. During the post-game, fans can come onto the field for autographs from players, coaches, and mascots Charlie and Chelsea.
South Atlantic League Stories from September 5, 2009
- Legends take second straight in Bowling Green, 3-1 - Lexington Legends
- Right-hander goes six strong in 3-1 loss to Lexington - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Keithley's Walkoff Single Staves Off Disaster - Hagerstown Suns
- Pirela's Single Nets Victory Over Sand Gnats, 5-4 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Nine-run Seventh Stops BlueClaws - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Lavarnway, Kehrt Send Tourists Packing as Drive Win 9-1 - Greenville Drive
- Vaughn erupts in debut to help Kannapolis to 10-3 victory - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Power Blank Grasshoppers - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Intimidators race to win against Crawdads - Hickory Crawdads
- Surkamp's Complete Game Gives Jackets 2-1 Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Power roster moves for September 5 - Charleston Dirty Birds
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