RiverDogs Pick up First Win in Twin Bill Split with Lexington
April 8, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release
LEXINGTON, KY. - The RiverDogs were looking for a strong starting pitching performance and some timely hits to shake out of their early season funk. After dropping game one, 7-4, left-hander Dalton Lehnen took the ball in game two and turned in six strong innings while the RiverDogs rallied for runs in the fifth and seventh to claim their first win of the season, 2-1, over the Lexington Legends in a split of a doubleheader on Sunday at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.
Left fielder Frederick Cuevas tied the ballgame in the fifth with a one-out double into the left-center gap to score third baseman Chris Hess, who broke up a streak of 11 in a row retired by lefty starter Daniel Tillo with a single just prior. In the seventh, it was Hess who would again cross the plate, this time to give the RiverDogs (1-3) the lead for good, when he slid under the tag by catcher Sebastian Rivero on a ground ball put into play by David Metzgar.
Lehnen (1-0) shook off a rocky start, retiring 13 in a row at one point after yielding a one-out home run and a triple two batters later in the opening frame. Lexington right fielder Travis Jones went deep for the first time on a fly ball to right that put the Legends in front, 1-0. The Charleston southpaw finished with five strikeouts, no walks, and just a run allowed in the first quality start turned in by the rotation this year.
In his season debut, Matt Wivinis set down the side 1-2-3 with a pair of K's to improve to 12-for-12 on save opportunities in his career, and a perfect 13-for-13 counting a playoff chance with the RiverDogs last year.
In game one, Charleston took a lead in the first inning for the third consecutive game, a 3-0 advantage helped out by a pair of Lexington errors, before the Legends (3-1) batted around in the second for seven runs to take an insurmountable lead.
Nick Nelson (0-1), the Yankees No. 28 prospect, was chased after recording just five outs to suffer the loss.
The Charleston bullpen extended their scoreless innings streak to nine after Kyle Zurak, Luis Cedeno, and Wivinis all posted zeroes in the two games.
Upcoming
Charleston continues to Rome, Ga for the second stop in their opening week road trip, taking on the Braves on Monday night at 7 p.m at State Mutual Stadium. Right-hander Daniel Ramos makes his official season debut after pitching five shutout for the RiverDogs on Tuesday in an exhibition contest at The Joe. Rome will counter with righty Alan Rangel (0-0, 0.00), who makes his first start and second appearance of the year. After the three-game tilt, the Dogs return home for their home opener on April 12 at The Joe.
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.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 8, 2018
- I''s Sweep Sunday Double Header, Take 3 of 4 from Lakewood to Begin Season - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Drive Swept by Power in Sunday's Doubleheader - Greenville Drive
- Power Smack Five Homers in Doubleheader Sweep of Greenville - Charleston Dirty Birds
- RiverDogs Pick up First Win in Twin Bill Split with Lexington - Charleston RiverDogs
- Legends Split Double Header with RiverDogs in Series Finale - Lexington Legends
- 'Birds Bash Tourists Again for Sweep - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Kay Solid, Tiberi Stays Hot in Sunday Clash with Augusta - Columbia Fireflies
- Suns Defeat Braves Behind Soto's Big Day - Hagerstown Suns
- Big Innings Cost Tourists as 'Birds Complete Sweep - Asheville Tourists
- BlueClaws Drop Sunday Pair in Kannapolis - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Cool Temps Don't Stop Red Hot Bats: GreenJackets Win Again - Augusta GreenJackets
- Suns Salvage Final Game of Series 6-2 Over the Braves - Rome Emperors
- First Rounder Anthony Kay Makes First Pro Start at Spirit Communications Park - Columbia Fireflies
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (April 8) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- GreenJackets Take Home First Victory - Augusta GreenJackets
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