SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Rally Falls Short as Grasshoppers Edge R'Dogs, 11-10

Published on July 23, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Greensboro's Kyle Skipworth smacked a two-run homer in the second that sparked a seven-run inning that Charleston could not overcome despite a ninth inning rally as the Grasshoppers edged the RiverDogs, 11-10, in South Atlantic League action Thursday night in front of 6,703 fans at Greensboro's NewBridge Bank Park.

Battling a seven-run deficit since the second inning, the RiverDogs continued to bite back throughout the game and sparked a final rally in the ninth when Abraham Almonte and Corban Joseph reached on back-to-back singles. After a wild pitch advanced the runners into scoring position, Taylor Grote reached on fielder's choice that eliminated Almonte at home while Joseph scampered into third. Addison Maruszak slapped a RBI single into left that plated Joseph and advanced Grote to second. Mitch Abeita followed with a RBI single that knocked home Grote and brought the RiverDogs within a run of tying the game.

With the game-tying run at second, Greensboro closer Peter Andrelczyk (16) earned the save after he struck out the final batter to secure the 11-10 Grasshoppers triumph.

Greensboro evens the series at one game apiece with the victory and jumps to 8-18 in the second half (45-51 overall) while the RiverDogs' second half record falls to 11-16 (50-47 overall).

The Grasshoppers captured a 7-0 lead in the second when the Grasshoppers sent 11 men to the plate and hammered six hits including a two-run homer over the right field fence by Skipworth for his fifth of the season.

The RiverDogs cut into the Greensboro's advantage in the third when Neall French was hit by a pitch, Tommy Baldridge singled to left and Jose Pirela drew a walk to load the bases. Joseph lined a RBI single to right that brought home French and Baldridge to make the score 7-2.

The Grasshoppers extended their lead to 11-2 in the fifth when Greensboro sent nine to the plate. A two-run double by Emilio Ontiveros, a RBI single by Kevin Mattison and a RBI single by Paul Gran capped the offensive surge.

Charleston continued to slice into Greensboro's advantage in the sixth when Grote lined a single to right and advanced to second on Abeita's single before French laced his first home run of the season over the left field wall to make the score 11-5.

The RiverDogs responded for three runs in the seventh when Pirela lined a double and advanced to third on right fielder Isaac Galloway's fielding error. On ball four that allowed Almonte to advance to first, Grasshoppers reliever Rodolfo Encarnacion uncorked a wild pitch that scored Pirela. Following a steal of second by Almonte, Melky Mesa blasted his 20th home run of the season over the left field wall, a two-run shot that made the score 11-8.

Greensboro starter Johnny Dorn (10-6) earned the win after he tossed six full stanzas and was charged with five earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four.

RiverDogs starter Andrew Brackman (1-11) suffered the defeat after he allowed seven earned runs on six hits and five walks while striking out five in 2.1 innings.

On consecutive nights all nine batters in Charleston's lineup collected a hit as the RiverDogs smacked 15 base knocks led by Almonte's three while Greensboro tallied 11 hits as four Grasshoppers each ratcheted a pair.

The RiverDogs turn to right-hander Brandon Braboy (2-4, 3.77) while the Grasshoppers oppose with southpaw Brad Hand (4-11, 6.15) in Game 3 of the four-game series set for Friday at 7:05 p.m.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 23, 2009


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