SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

RiverDogs Extinguish Sand Gnats, 7-3; Improve To 5-1 On Season

Published on April 8, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


Charleston jumped to a 6-0 lead after four innings - highlighted by Jesus Montero's first South Atlantic League home run - and the RiverDogs held on for a 7-3 victory over the Savannah Sand Gnats Tuesday night in front of 2,675 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

Charleston, which collected 16 hits on the night, improves to 5-1 in the early season and retains a portion of first place with Asheville in the Southern Division. Savannah drops its third straight and evens it record at 3-3.

With Charleston leading 4-0 after three frames, Abraham Almonte singled up the middle and Montero, one of the New York Yankees' top minor league prospects, lined a two-run bomb over the left field fence.

The RiverDogs received an excellent pitching performance from starter Dellin Betances (2-0), another of the Yankees' top prospects, who went 5.1 frames and struck out eight batters. Betances, a 20-year-old from Brooklyn, allowed two runs on two hits and walked six while throwing consistently in the low-to-mid-90s.

The RiverDogs opened the scoring with three runs in the second inning on right fielder Dave Williams' two-run double to left and Almonte's RBI single to center. Those tallies all came off of Savannah starter Michael Antonini (1-1).

The hosts added another run in the third when shortstop Carmen Angelini lofted a sacrifice fly to center, plating Bradley Suttle, who opened the inning with a single to left. Suttle moved to second when Wady Rufino singled to left and the bases were loaded when Brandon Laird drew a one-out walk.

Antonini lasted only 2.2 frames and allowed four runs on seven hits while issuing three walks.

Savannah pushed three runs across in the sixth inning on three consecutive one-out singles. Raul Reyes bounced an RBI single to left, which was followed by a two-run single by Darren Clark, each coming off of Charleston reliever Craig Heyer. Heyer then settled in and pitched 2.2 frames without further incident.

The RiverDogs got an insurance run in the eighth on Rufino's RBI single to center.

Snyder and Suttle each collected three hits to lead Charleston offensively, while four other players - Almonte, Montero, Rufino and Laird - had a pair of knocks apiece.

Savannah, which recorded only six hits on the night, was led by Pena's two hits.

Game 3 of this four-game set is slated for a rare 11:05 a.m. start for the RiverDogs' annual Education Day. Charleston plans to start righty Jairo Heredia (0-0, 4.50 ERA) while Savannah is expected to go with righty Scott Moviel (1-0, 1.80 ERA).

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 8, 2008


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