RiverDogs Rip Two Homers, Fall in Independence Day Opener
July 4, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release
Charleston RiverDogs first baseman Chris Hess trots around the bases
(Charleston RiverDogs, Credit: Zach Bland)
CHARLESTON, S.C. - First baseman Chris Hess and designated hitter Dermis Garcia each launched solo home runs in the Charleston RiverDogs' 4-3 loss to the Augusta GreenJackets in front of a sold-out Fourth of July crowd of 6,877 at Riley Park on Wednesday.
The RiverDogs' (41-39, 8-4) first baserunner came with two outs in the second as Hess crushed a first pitch off Aaron Phillips (3-4) over the left centerfield scoreboard to put Charleston up 1-0 with two outs. Garcia also smashed a two-out round-tripper midway up the batter's eye in straightaway center in the fourth.
Hess added a second hit in the seventh inning. The Rhode Island product and All-Star selection came in 6-for-39 in the second half and 11-for-72 going back to before the break.
Charleston scored its final run in the bottom of the eighth when center fielder Pablo Olivares and shortstop Wilkerman Garcia ripped back-to-back doubles. Garcia's was his second two-bagger of the night, complemented by his ninth stolen base, which matched Olivares for the team lead.
19-year-old Deivi Garcia (1-2) threw five innings for the RiverDogs, surrendering three Augusta (42-40, 5-9) runs, all coming in the fourth inning. Two of those runs came in on an error by right fielder Mitchell Hansen when a single that would have loaded up the bases rolled past him.
Garcia struck out seven in the effort, combining with Phillips to punch out 16 hitters in the first five innings. Augusta's hitters had struck out 812 times entering play, 52 more than any other team in the South Atlantic League. Garcia entered the game with a 14.4 K/9 ratio, the highest rate of any RiverDogs pitcher. The Dominican Republic product has now fanned at least seven batters in each of his first four starts as a RiverDog.
Reliver Dalton Higgins allowed the fourth Augusta run in the eighth, an RBI single. Previously, the right-hander had not allowed an earned run in his previous 15 innings.
Wednesday's loss marked the first time Charleston has dropped back-to-back games in the second half, and the Dogs still have a league-best start of 8-4 since the All-Star break.
Charleston has not won a Fourth of July game at Riley Park since 2004. The RiverDogs are 7-7 on Independence Day since their last victory at The Joe.
Ballpark Fun
Independence Day brought a WOW! Cable postgame fireworks extravaganza played to the patriotic jams of the USA's 242-year history. Fans were given American flags which they waved throughout the night, and players donned stars and stripes from their socks to their wrist tape.
Upcoming
The RiverDogs continue the series with Augusta on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Charleston will throw righty Jio Orozco (0-1, 3.06) coming off his best start of the season, 5 2/3 scoreless innings last Friday at The Joe. The GreenJackets are scheduled to counter with southpaw Joey Marciano (4-2, 2.38).
It's a Budweiser "Red, White & Brews" Thirsty Thursday to continue the holiday weekend festivities, featuring dollar beers in the Budweiser Ashley View Pub and the scintillating tunes of DJ Natty Heavy. For those that can't make it to the park, Thursday's game can be tuned into on "The Big Talker" WTMA 1250 AM with audio streaming live at riverdogs.com and the RiverDogs' TuneIn radio station.
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.
Images from this story
 Charleston RiverDogs pitcher Deivi Garcia (Zach Bland) |
 Charleston RiverDogs first baseman Chris Hess trots around the bases (Zach Bland) |
South Atlantic League Stories from July 4, 2018
- Early Fireworks Send Tourists Past Braves - Asheville Tourists
- Power Blanked by Legends 6-0 in Front of 5,252 Fans - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Lexington Legends Shutout West Virginia Power in Game One - Lexington Legends
- RiverDogs Rip Two Homers, Fall in Independence Day Opener - Charleston RiverDogs
- Lara's Late Triple Sets up Winning Run - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- 'Birds Spark Fireworks in Shutout - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Drive Open Series with 4-2 Victory over Fireflies - Greenville Drive
- Scheiner, Ortiz Hit Back-To-Back HRs, But Claws Fall 4-3 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Second-Largest Crowd in Park History Celebrates Independence Day with the Fireflies - Columbia Fireflies
- GreenJackets Are the Top Dogs in Charleston - Augusta GreenJackets
- Suns Shutout in Series Opening Loss to Shorebirds - Hagerstown Suns
- Fireflies Game Notes: July 4, 2018 vs. Greenville (Game 80) - Columbia Fireflies
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (July 4) - Charleston Dirty Birds
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