RiverDogs Manage One Run against Struggling Asheville Staff

May 1, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release

Charleston RiverDogs pitcher Rony Garcia
(Charleston RiverDogs, Credit: Zach Bland)

The Dogs (11-14) scored their lone run on a Dalton Blaser line drive home run that cleared the right centerfield fence in the seventh inning. The solo shot was Blaser's first home run of the season, one of two hits on the night for the first baseman.

Blaser's home run snapped a 15 2/3 inning scoreless streak for the RiverDogs going back to Saturday's victory in Greenville.

Blaser was one of four Charleston hitters with a multi-hit night. Outfielder Pablo Olivares tallied two hits in the designated hitter role, giving the 20-year-old Venezuelan six hits in his first five games at The Joe this season.

On the hill, right-hander Rony Garcia (0-2) turned in his longest outing of the season, allowing a pair of runs in 6 1/3 innings. Garcia allowed Asheville (8-15) runs in the first and third but got help from his defense throughout the night. Catcher Eduardo Navas threw out two would-be base stealers. Second baseman Oswaldo Cabrera displayed his athleticism with a catch in no-man's land in shallow right before throwing out Ramon Marcelino trying to tag up and score, retiring the Tourists in the fourth.

Charleston sent the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but Dalton Blaser couldn't produce more fireworks as he popped out in foul territory to end the game.

The Holy City's bullpen got back on track as Luis Cedeno and Braden Bristo combined for 2 1/3 innings, giving up an unearned run. Both pitchers are yet to surrender an earned run this season.

Asheville's staff entered the game with a league-worst 5.97 ERA before holding Charleston to just the lone tally.

Ballpark Fun

Joe Riley Park literally sparkled as glitter was sprinkled throughout the concourse on "World's Cleanest Ballpark Night." The RiverDogs staff finally cleaned up their act with an all-hands-on-deck approach to picking up any litter, delivering clean-humored jokes, and even a haircut/shave combo for the team's grizzly Director of Operations, Philip Guiry. It was also another "Live and Local Tuesday" presented by 105.5 The Bridge, featuring guest PA Shep Rose, one of the stars of Bravo's Southern Charm, a farmer's market on the concourse, live music, and a restaurant pop-up from Rebel Taqueria.

Upcoming

Game two of the three game set between Charleston and Asheville will start at 7:05 on Wednesday. Southpaw RiverDog Dalton Lehnen (1-1, 2.38) will matchup with fellow lefty Nick Kennedy (0-2, 8.79). Wednesday is also another "Way Back Wednesday" presented by Kirkman Broadcasting. The night will feature throwback uniforms from the 1994 season, $4 general admission tickets, and an appearance by former RiverDog Mitch Hilligoss, the former Purdue Boilermaker who set a still-standing South Atlantic League record with a 38-game hitting streak with Charleston in 2007. The game will be broadcast on 1250 WTMA in the tri-county area with online streaming audio also available worldwide on riverdogs.com, through the RiverDogs TuneIn radio app and on MiLB.tv.

RiverDogs single-game tickets, including options to the Riley Park Club, are now available for the 2018 campaign, the club's 25th season as the RiverDogs and their "175th season in dog years." Ticket information can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com/tickets.

Dalton Blaser of the Charleston RiverDogs watches his home run leave the park (Zach Bland)

Charleston RiverDogs pitcher Rony Garcia (Zach Bland)

South Atlantic League Stories from May 1, 2018

• Five-Run Eighth Inning Propels Legends over Fireflies - Lexington Legends
• RiverDogs Manage One Run against Struggling Asheville Staff - Charleston RiverDogs
• Peurifoy's Walk-Off Homer Secures Wild 6-4 Win on Tuesday - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Miller Flirts with Gem But Suns Rally Late - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• Hoekstra's Triple Lifts Rome Over Lakewood, 5-2 - Rome Emperors
• Claws Drop Series Opener 5-2 at Rome - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• All Good Things Come to an End - Augusta GreenJackets
• Craport Lights up Drive in 'Birds Win - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Gilbreath Leads Tourists to 3-1 Road Victory - Asheville Tourists
• Drive Defeated by Shorebirds on Tuesday - Greenville Drive
• Fireflies Game Notes: May 1 vs. Lexington (Game 25) - Columbia Fireflies
• Haley Skarupa to be Faith and Family Guest Speaker - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Bark for Your Brew Set for Sunday May 6 at the Joe - Charleston RiverDogs
• Game Time Changed on May 27, June 24 - Delmarva Shorebirds
• West Virginia Power: Game Notes (May 1) - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Vasquez Tabbed South Atlantic League Player of Week - Columbia Fireflies

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Charleston RiverDogs Stories

• RiverDogs Close Homestand with 5-3 Extra-Innings Loss to Salem
• Salem Snaps RiverDogs' Win Streak with Late Rally
• Charleston Edges Salem 10-8 in Back-And-Forth Thriller
• RiverDogs Announce Two Additions to Hall of Honor
• RiverDogs Win Fifth Straight to Climb Back to .500