SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

RiverDogs Hammer Tourists, 6-3

Published on May 1, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Brian Baisley and Melky Mesa each cracked two-run homers as the Charleston RiverDogs hammered the Asheville Tourists for the 6-3 triumph in South Atlantic League action Friday in front of 2,681 fans at Asheville's McCormick Field.

With the victory, the RiverDogs avoid the sweep and improve to 12-10 overall while the Tourists fall to 10-12.

The Tourists struck first to take an initial 1-0 lead in the home half of the first when Erik Wetzel walked and then sprinted around the bases to score after Jordan Pacheco's line drive single to right.

Asheville increased its lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the third when Wetzel laid down a bunt single and advanced to second on RiverDogs starter D.J. Mitchell's throwing error. Wetzel scampered to third when third baseman Garrison Lassiter was charged with a fielding error on a groundball by Pacheco. Mitchell followed with a wild pitch that plated Wetzel for the game's second run.

The Tourists tacked a 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the fifth inning when Patrick Rose walked and then scooted to second after a groundout. Scott Robinson knocked a two-out single to left that drove in Rose from second.

Charleston stormed back in the top of the sixth to take a 4-3 lead when David Adams singled to right before Baisley blasted a two-run homer over the right field fence for his second home run of the year. Taylor Grote followed with a walk and then dashed to second when Mesa reached on an infield single. Lassiter slapped a single up the middle that plated Grote and moved Mesa to second. Chase Weems added a single up the middle that scored Mesa for the inning's fourth run.

The RiverDogs seized a 6-3 advantage in the top of the eighth when Grote drew a leadoff walk only to have Dan Brewer inserted as a pinch runner. Mesa hammered a two-run homer over the center field wall for his sixth home run of the season.

Charleston closer Pat Venditte (SV, 6) earned his sixth save of the season and secured the victory for the RiverDogs as he struck out two and did not yield a hit or walk in the final inning and a third.

RiverDogs starter D.J. Mitchell (4-0) scattered five hits and was charged with only one earned run and struck out six over six innings pitched for the triumph.

Asheville reliever Tyler Trice (1-2) earned the loss when he was charged with an earned run off of three hits when he pitched the final two-thirds of the sixth inning.

The Tourists out hit the RiverDogs 8-7 with Wetzel ratcheting three base knocks and leading the way for Asheville while Mesa was the only Charleston batter with a pair of hits.

The RiverDogs return home to begin an eight-game homestand at The Joe. Kicking off the homestand will be a four-game set against the Greenville Drive, an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Saturday Charleston will give the ball to right-hander Hector Noesi (0-0, 0.00) who will square off against Drive righty Brian Price (2-0, 2.05) as first pitch is set for 7:05 PM.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 1, 2009


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