SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Red Hot R-Dogs Win in 11th, 4-3

Published on April 12, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


Catcher Jesus Montero doubled home the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning to hand the Charleston RiverDogs a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Rome Braves in South Atlantic League action Saturday night in front of 3,876 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

The red-hot RiverDogs have won six consecutive games, including the first two in this series, and have started the season with a 9-1 mark. Charleston remains in first place in the Southern Division first-half standings, while Rome falls to 4-6.

With the game tied 3-3, third baseman Bradley Suttle opened the bottom of the 11th with a double to right center and was replaced by pinch-runner Carmen Angelini after coming up hobbling.

With a 2-1 count, Montero, who won last night's come-from-behind victory with a bases-loaded double down the third base line, doubled down the same line for the game-winner against Rome reliever Michael Broadway (0-1).

Charleston, which has been blistering opposing pitching in the early season, secured another double-digit hit performance against Rome with 10 on the night. Brandon Laird and Austin Romine each collected three base knocks to lead the attack.

Charleston pitching combined between three hurlers to allow only seven hits, two earned runs and compile 12 strikeouts in the 11 innings. Starter Zach McAllister led the way with seven complete innings and seven punchouts, while being charged with three runs (two earned) on five hits.

Rome first got on the scoreboard in the second inning when Freddie Freeman blooped a single and Concepcion Rodriguez whacked a one-out, 2-2 pitch from Charleston McAllister over the left field fence to hand the Braves a quick 2-0 lead.

The RiverDogs scored a pair of runs in the fifth to tie the game against Rome starter Steven Evarts. Laird led off with a single and scored on David Williams' long double to right center. Romine followed with a RBI single through the right side to knot the score at 2-2.

The Braves went back on top in the sixth when Jason Heyward, with two outs, struck out but the ball got passed the catcher and Heyward ended up on first base. After Heyward stole second, Cody Johnson took advantage of the situation and drilled a run-scoring double to right, handing the visitors a 3-2 advantage.

Charleston came right back in the seventh to tie the score at 3-3 starting with a Laird single to left. With two out, Romine belted a hard single to right that went through the legs of Heyward, the right fielder, and Laird scored. Heyward was charged with a two-base error.

Reliever Chace Vacek (1-0) picked up his first win of the season as he pitched the 11th inning. Middle reliever Jason Stephens also pitched well for Charleston, as he went three complete frames and allowed two hits while striking out five Braves.

Evarts pitched well for Rome, going seven complete innings and allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out seven. Broadway finished the final three frames and allowed one run on three hits.

Game three of this four-game series is set for Sunday at 5:05 p.m. with Charleston sending ace right-hander Dellin Betances (2-0, 3.48 ERA) to the hill. Rome is expected to start southpaw Jose Ortegano (0-0, 9.00 ERA).

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 12, 2008


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