SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

RiverDogs Edge Sand Gnats in 12 Innings, 4-3

Published on June 3, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Dan Brewer plated Jose Pirela in the top of the 12th on a RBI single to center as the Charleston RiverDogs edged the Savannah Sand Gnats, 4-3, in South Atlantic League action Wednesday in front of 718 fans at Savannah's Historic Grayson Stadium.

Tied 3-3 in the top of the 12th, Pirela slapped a leadoff single to left, stole second and circled home when Brewer lined a single up the middle that gave Charleston a 4-3 advantage.

With a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 12th, RiverDogs closer Pat Venditte (SV, 16), professional baseball's lone ambidextrous pitcher, shut the door on the Sand Gnats as he allowed one hit and struck out two in 1.0 inning pitched to collect the save and secure the win.

Charleston reliever Brad Rulon (3-1) earned the victory as held Savannah to one hit and one walk while striking out three in 3.0 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win. Rulon has a yet to allow a run on the road this season as his scoreless streak continues to 13.0 innings.

With the triumph the RiverDogs win their fifth extra-innings game in 2009 and jump to 30-22 on the season while Sand Gnats slip to 25-27.

The Sand Gnats captured a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Rafael Fernandez drew a leadoff walk and then advanced to second on Jefry Marte's single to left. Following a groundout that moved Fernandez to third, Joshua Satin lifted a sacrifice fly to center that plated Fernandez for the game's first run.

Charleston seized a 2-1 advantage in the top of the third when Mike Lyon and Addison Maruszak both singled to kick start the inning. Pirela dropped a sacrifice bunt that put the runners into scoring position. Brewer added a ground ball single to left that knocked home Lyon while Maruszak dashed to third. With David Adams batting, a passed ball was charged to Savannah catcher Jean Luc Blaquiere that allowed Maruszak to score from third.

The RiverDogs tacked on an addition run for a 3-1 lead in the fourth frame when Taylor Grote slapped a single up the middle and then advanced to second on Mitch Abeita's walk. Following a fielder's choice that moved Grote to third, Maruszak lifted a sacrifice fly to center drove in Grote.

The Sand Gnats knotted the game at 3-3 in the home half of the eighth when Matthew Gaski singled to center and then sprinted to third on Marte's double to left. Sean Ratliff lifted a sacrifice fly to left that knocked home Gaski and advanced Marte to third. Then RiverDogs reliever Cory Arbiso uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Marte to score the tying run.

Savannah reliever R Cruz (1-2) suffered the defeat when he allowed one earned run on two hits while pitching the 12th inning.

Seeking his third win in a row, RiverDogs starter Brett Marshall earned a no decision after he pitched 7.0 innings and held the Sand Gnats to one earned run on three hits and two walks while striking out three.

Savannah starter Robert Carson also received a no decision when he was charged with three earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out two in 5.0 innings pitched.

Charleston tallied 12 base hits lead by a quintet of RiverDogs that each collected a pair the while Savannah cracked eight knocks lead by the duo of Satin and Gaski who each smashed two.

Charleston will send right-hander Hector Noesi (2-2, 1.96 ERA) to the mound while Savannah counters with righty Kyle Allen (3-2, 4.91 ERA) in the third game of the four-game series with first pitch set for Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 3, 2009


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