SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

RiverDogs Bully Intimidators, 5-3; Win Eighth Straight

Published on June 7, 2005 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC -- Edwar Gonzalez smacked a two-run home run and Philip Hughes fired seven innings of four-hit ball as the Charleston RiverDogs bullied the Kannapolis Intimidators, 5-3, in South Atlantic League action Tuesday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

The victory gives the RiverDogs a season-long eight consecutive wins and moves the team to a season-high 22 games over .500. Charleston has now won 19 of their last 23 games and 11 of their last 12, improving their seasonal record to 40-18, tops in the SAL. Kannapolis slips to 29-30.

The win, coupled with Augusta's 4-0 loss to Asheville at home, drops the RiverDogs' magic number in order to capture the Southern Division first half crown to six games.

Hughes, one of the New York Yankees' top prospects, improved his record to 7-1 on the season and has won his last seven decisions. Against the Intimidators, Hughes went seven full innings, allowed four hits, two earned runs and struck out five. Mike Martinez pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his league-leading 19th save in 19 opportunities.

Kannapolis starter Ray Liotta, who also went seven full innings, suffered the loss which dropped his record to 4-2.

The Intimidators took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning when center fielder David Cook sent a Hughes fastball over the left field wall with Jose De Los Santos on base, his 13th home run of the season, 3rd most in the league.

The RiverDogs retaliated against Liotta in the fifth and evened the score with Gonzalez' homer to right center after Yosvany Almario drew an inning-opening base on balls. Charleston took the lead for good later in the inning on an RBI single to right by Tim Battle.

Charleston increased its lead to 4-2 in the sixth when Gonzalez again plated Almario with a RBI single up the middle.

Kannapolis added a run in the eighth when Charleston reliever T.J. Beam walked Adam Ricks, the first batter he faced. Catcher Donny Lucy sacrificed Ricks to second and Ricks moved to third on a single by Boomer Berry. Ricks scored on De Los Santos' single through the middle.

The RiverDogs added an insurance run in the eighth when Ben Jones doubled home Mario Holmann, who singled and then stole second base.

Game Two of the four-game set continues Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. when Christian Garcia (4-3) gets the call for Charleston. Kannapolis counters with right-hander Jack Egbert (3-3).

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 7, 2005


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