SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

RiverDogs Comeback to Destroy Braves, 14-6

Published on June 13, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Charleston pounded 20 hits led by Melky Mesa's 13th home run of the season as the RiverDogs destroyed the Braves, 14-6, in South Atlantic League action Saturday night in front of 4,245 fans at Rome's State Mutual Stadium.

With the victory, the RiverDogs remain 2.5 games ahead in the Southern Division standings with a 37-25 record while the Braves slip to third place at 32-30.

Charleston jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Taylor Grote lined a single to right, stole second and scored on Mitch Abeita's single up the middle for the game's first run.

The Braves captured a 4-1 advantage in the home half of the second when Braeden Schlehuber was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a fielder's choice by Shayne Moody. Chris Shehan slugged a ground-rule double that bounced over the right field wall and drove in Schlehuber while Moody raced to third. Chais Fuller followed with a RBI double to left that knocked in Moody and Shehan. Jahdiel Santamaria laced a triple to right that scored Fuller for the inning's fourth run.

The RiverDogs cut into the Braves 4-2 lead in the fifth when Jose Pirela lined a leadoff double to left and scored on David Adams' single up the middle.

Rome extended its lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the fifth frame when Santamaria drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on Joel Campusano's single to right and Jesus Sucre cracked a single to right that plated both Santamaria and Campusano.

Charleston added a run the sixth when Abeita smashed his third home run of the season, a solo blast over the left field fence to make the score 6-3.

The RiverDogs scored seven runs and sent 12 men to the plate as Charleston seized a 10-6 advantage in the top of the seventh. In the inning, Charleston tallied eight hits highlighted by Corban Joseph's bases clearing three-run triple and Mesa's 13th home run of the season, a two-run shot over the left field wall.

In the top of the eighth Charleston scored four additional runs on three singles, three walks, one wild pitch and one fielding error as the RiverDogs sent 11 batters to the plate to make the score 14-6.

Dan Kapala (4-0) earned the win for the RiverDogs as he silenced the Braves to the tune of one hit and one walk while striking out three in 3.0 innings on the mound.

Rome reliever David Francis (3-3) suffered the defeat as he allowed four earned runs on six hits while pitching the seventh inning.

The RiverDogs tallied 20 base knocks paced by Adams' four hits while Rome countered with 10 hits as a trio of Braves each collected a pair.

Charleston starter Brett Marshall earned a no-decision after he allowed six runs - five earned - on seven hits and one walk while striking out three in 5.0 innings of work.

Also earning a no-decision, Rome starter J.J. Hoover pitched 5.0 innings and was charged with two earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out nine.

Charleston looks to sweep Rome behind right-hander Hector Noesi (2-3, 2.40 ERA) in the series finale while the Braves oppose with right-hander Paul Clemens (2-3, 5.44 ERA) with first pitch set for Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 13, 2009


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