SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

RiverDogs Burn Rome, 5-2, To Split Double Dip

Published on May 18, 2007 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


three Rome errors en route to a 5-2 victory to split a doubleheader Friday night in South Atlantic League action in front of 6,308 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

Prior to the game, Thursday night's suspended game was concluded with the Braves taking a 7-1 decision behind a season-high 15 attack. With the victory in the nightcap, Charleston improved to 22-20 on the season while Rome slipped to 12-29.

In the regularly-schedule game, Rome opened the scoring with a run in the second inning on a bases loaded walk to Larry Williams after Charleston starter John Axford gave up two singles and committed a throwing error.

But Charleston came right back in the bottom of the second to knot the score on Andres Perez' sacrifice fly. The RiverDogs added an unearned run in each the third and fourth frame to extend their lead to 3-1.

In the third, Mitch Hilligoss, in extending his hitting streak to 25 games - the longest such streak in all of professional baseball this season - singled and eventually scored on a throwing error by Rome's starting pitcher, Jeff Lyman (0-6).

The hosts' third run came when Wilmer Pino scored from third base on a Lyman wild pitch.

Down 3-1, Rome battled back to pull within one run on Willie Cabrera's solo home run to left field in the fifth, marking his first round-tripper of the season.

Charleston came back with two insurance runs in the sixth on a two-out, two-RBI double by Chris Kunda that gave the RiverDogs a more comfortable margin.

Axford pitched two complete innings and allowed three hits and was relieved by David Robertson in the third. Robertson (2-2) also threw two complete stanzas and allowed one hit while striking out three as did Brady Martinez, who tossed 1.2 frames.

Closer Jonathan Hovis collected his seventh save of the year as he went the final 1.1 innings without allowing a baserunner.

Hilligoss and Kunda each had a pair of knocks to lead Charleston's six-hit parade while Yohan Silva paced Rome offensively with a pair.

Lyman went five innings and allowed three runs, only one earned, on three hits while walking three and fanning five.

In the first game, which was suspended Thursday night in the third inning after a steady rain, Rome more than held onto the previous night's four-run lead thanks to solid pitching from Carlos Sencion, Michael Broadway and James Curtis. The three combined to work the final seven innings Friday and allowed only five hits.

Rome tagged RiverDogs starter Garrett Patterson (1-3) Thursday for four runs, all earned, in 2.2 innings pitched before the rains halted play. Pitching through a steady drizzle, Patterson allowed eight hits while walking one and throwing three wild pitches.

The Braves scored a run in the top of the first on Willie Cabrera's RBI fielder's choice, and then plated three more in the second. Chad Lundahl and Brandon Monk connected for back-to-back run-scoring doubles against Patterson to make the score 3-0, and Monk later scored on Patterson's third wild pitch of the frame.

Charleston scored in the third inning when Mitch Hilligoss scored from third base on a wild pitch by 6-6 lefty Sencion (2-1).

The Braves added three more runs in the ninth inning on a three-run blast by Tyler Flowers, his first of the season, making the final score 7-1.

Sencion threw three complete innings, while striking out three and walking three. Curtis earned the save with two scoreless frames to complete the contest.

The final game of this four-game series is set for Saturday at 7:05 pm with the RiverDogs sending right-hander Ivan Nova (0-1, 5.06 ERA) to the hill while the Braves counter with right-hander Tim Gustafson (1-2, 4.02 ERA).

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 18, 2007


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