RiverDogs Put Rome to Rest with 4-2 Series-Clinching Win
Published on July 3, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release
ROME, Ga. - Charleston broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run sixth inning, and the RiverDogs' bullpen held on to preserve a 4-2 victory over the Rome Braves in South Atlantic League action Sunday night in front of 2,078 fans at State Mutual Stadium.
Charleston secured a series victory and a 4-3 road trip in improving to 5-6 in this half, and 31-50 overall. Rome, meanwhile, fell to 2-9 and 27-54 overall.
Charleston nabbed a first inning run with a two-out rally to take an immediate 1-0 lead against Rome starter Willie Kempf (0-2).
Kevin Mahoney was hit by a pitch, and Kyle Higashioka moved him into scoring position with a single. Ramon Flores came to the batter's box next, and continued his hot hitting by knocking a RBI single through the middle to plate Mahoney.
Nathan Forer was excellent in a spot start for the RiverDogs, shutting out the Braves over the opening three frames while allowing just two hits. Rome pieced together a two-out rally of its own, however, to knot the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth.
David Rohm scalded a double to left field, and came in to score when Robby Hefflinger lined a RBI single into center field.
Making his first start of his professional career, Forer was able to log a season-high four innings while yielding only the one run. He scattered three hits and two walks, while striking out one.
Kempf settled in after the first inning, but the RiverDogs got their offense in motion again in the sixth, forging a 4-1 advantage.
Jose Mojica reached base on a fielder's choice, moved to second on an Eduardo Sosa single, and scurried home to push Charleston back in front when Rome first baseman Chris Garcia committed an error. With a 2-1 lead already in tow, Mahoney drilled a line drive to right to drive in Sosa for a two-run advantage, forcing Kempf from the contest.
Another tally was charged to Kempf's final line, as Higashioka capped the sixth inning scoring by lofting an opposite field sacrifice fly for a three-run Charleston cushion. Kempf was tagged for 12 hits over his 5.1 frames, permitting the four runs (two earned), while fanning one.
Francisco Rondon (1-0) relieved Forer for the RiverDogs, and turned in 2.2 strong innings in his second outing since rejoining the club from the Staten Island Yankees. Rondon gave up two hits and a walk, striking out three in the process.
Rome inched to within 4-2 against Charleston hurler Manny Barreda in the bottom of the eighth. Tommy La Stella worked a leadoff walk, stole second base, moved to third on a wild pitch, and came in touch the dish on Garcia's sacrifice fly to center field.
Mark Montgomery entered in the ninth and authored a 1-2-3 inning to pin down his second save of the series since being promoted to Charleston
The RiverDogs return home to face off against the Augusta GreenJackets on Monday at 6:35 p.m. Left-hander Steve Evarts (0-1, 5.23 ERA) is slated to make his third start of the season for Charleston, versus fellow southpaw Gaspar Santiago (2-3, 4.66 ERA) of Augusta. A special Fourth of July fireworks display will follow the opener of a seven-game homestand.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 3, 2011
- Suns Knock off Legends in Game Three Finale, 8-2 - Hagerstown Suns
- 'Dads Derail Drive with 7-4 Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Drive End Homestand with 7-4 Loss to Crawdads - Greenville Drive
- Suns Take Series Finale Over Legends 8-2 - Lexington Legends
- Offense Sputters Again as Savannah Sweeps - Augusta GreenJackets
- Lakewood Wins 10-5 Over Delmarva - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- BlueClaws Top Shorebirds 10-5 in Finale - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Greensboro Wallops Power 10-2 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Hot Afternoon Chills Braves' Bats - Rome Emperors
- RiverDogs Put Rome to Rest with 4-2 Series-Clinching Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Savannah Sand Gnats Game Notes - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Legends rally, then hold off Hagerstown for 11-10 win - Lexington Legends
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