SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

RiverDogs Dust Off Asheville, 11-1

Published on July 5, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Charleston erupted for nine runs between the fifth and seventh innings to lead the Charleston RiverDogs to an 11-1 victory over the Asheville Tourists in front 3,029 fans in South Atlantic League action at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Monday night.

With the victory, Charleston ends a six-game skid at home, their longest losing streak at Riley Park since Aug. 2008 and moves to 5-7, 36-25 overall, while Asheville drops to 7-5, and 37-44 overall. The 10-run triumph marks the largest margin of victory for the RiverDogs in 2010.

The RiverDogs led 2-1 in the fifth, when the offense began its onslaught with three runs against Asheville starter Juan Gonzalez. Justin Milo's sacrifice fly scored Emerson Landoni from third, boosting the RiverDogs' lead 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth.

That lead grew, when J.R. Murphy crushed a 1-0 pitch over the left-field wall. Murphy's two run shot, his second homer of the year and first at Riley Park, gave Charleston the 5-1 lead going into the sixth.

In the bottom of the sixth, the RiverDogs ripped off four consecutive singles to open the frame against Asheville's Jonathan Vargas. With the bases loaded, Landoni's RBI single scored DeAngelo Mack from third, giving Charleston a 6-1 lead.

Vargas then walked Slade Heathcott on four pitches with the bases still loaded to score Kyle Higashioka for a 7-1 count. After a Milo fielder's choice that forced out a run at the plate, Jimmy Paredes hit a groundball to third baseman Helder Velazquez, who threw wide to home plate, allowing Landoni to score his third run of the night upping the margin to 8-1. The safe call at home plate resulted in the ejection of Asheville manager Joe Mikulik.

Murphy continued with a sacrifice fly to pushed Heathcott across the plate and stake the Charleston lead to eight runs, 9-1 RiverDogs, going into the seventh.

The RiverDogs added two more runs in the bottom of the seventh courtesy of Landoni's sacrifice fly and a wild pitch by reliever Chad Rose to give Charleston an 11-1 lead.

Charleston struck in the first, when Murphy's bloop single to right plated Milo from second, giving Charleston a 1-0 lead. Milo walked to reach base and moved into scoring position on a Gonzalez balk.

The RiverDogs boosted their lead in the bottom of the third, when Milo's RBI single pushed Landoni home from second. Landoni singled to open the frame and moved into scoring position on a botched pick off attempt. Landoni's run gave Charleston a 2-0 advantage going into the fourth.

Charleston starter Michael Solbach threw 4.0 innings of scoreless ball in a no-decision, giving up just five hits while sinking six.

Asheville broke up the shutout in the top of the fifth, when Delta Cleary, Jr.'s groundout pushed Velasquez home from third. Velazquez walked to open the frame, stole second and moved to third on Joey Wong's sacrifice. The Charleston lead fell to one, 2-1.

Andrew Shive (1-1) earned his first SAL victory in 2.0 hitless relief innings. Asheville starter Gonzalez (3-4) takes the loss after tossing 5.0 innings, surrendering seven hits and four earned runs with two strikeouts.

Landoni and Higashioka each had three-hit efforts in Charleston's 14-hit arsenal, while Murphy contributed a career-high four RBI.

Game three of this four-game series is set for Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. with Charleston pitching right-hander Brett Marshall (1-0, 3.72) and Asheville countering with left-hander Wes Musick (6-5, 4.60).

FUN AT THE BALLPARK: Fans flocked to The Joe to keep their Fourth of July holiday weekend going with another 98X Hair of the Dog Monday, featuring $1 beers in the Ashley View Pub. The fireworks at Riley Park didn't stop last night as fans were treated to some RiverDogs' fireworks on the diamond, as the team erupted for 11 runs and 14 hits. The RiverDogs' faithful stayed in the action throughout the game with several big innings from the future Bronx Bombers and even an intense hot dog race! Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union MVP Emerson Landoni showed his love for the fans after the game, thanking last night's monster crowd and the Fifth of July fans for tonight's game.

UP NEXT: It's another Bi-Lo Two for Tuesday and Kraft Single's Tuesday Night Tickets, with fans getting a two steals of a deal at the RiverDogs' box office. Also, it's BINGO night at The Joe, all fans will receive special baseball bingo cards when they enter the turnstiles tomorrow night. And pay attention! As those lucky fans who fill their cards out will be eligible for special prizes throughout the night.

Check out the Charleston RiverDogs Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 5, 2010


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