SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

RiverDogs Salvage Split, Spoil Power Comeback in Road Trip Finale

Published on August 21, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, W.V. - The Charleston RiverDogs found a way to execute in extras, using a sacrifice bunt by left fielder Welfrin Mateo and an RBI knock from center fielder Leonardo Molina to plate the eventual game-winner two pitches into the tenth inning as the RiverDogs topped the West Virginia, 3-2, after watching a lead slip away in the ninth on Tuesday night at Appalachian Power Park.

The win was just Charleston's (58-66, 25-31) third in extra innings this season, snapping a streak of five consecutive losses in such games. Before Wilkerman Garcia crossed the plate in the tenth, the RiverDogs had failed to score in their last six attempts in extras with a runner starting out the frame on second base under Minor League Baseball's new pace of play rules.

The Dogs secured a winning road trip with the series split over West Virginia (63-58, 26-29), finishing the week away from Riley Park 4-3, including a series win in Delmarva.

Fighting for a potential wild card berth in the playoffs, the Power surged late to put the game in jeopardy. After cutting the deficit to one in the eighth, the Power were down to their final out when right fielder Cal Mitchell drilled a double into the left-center gap, scoring Lolo Sanchez and tying the game. Carlos Espinal blew his first save of the season before Daniel Alvarez (1-2) came on and struck out Robbie Glendenning to leave the winning run stranded at third to force extras. Espinal had been inserted into the game in the eighth with runners at the corners and nobody out but limited the damage to just a run.

The wild finish overshadowed a brilliant outing from starter Miguel Yajure, who turned in five shutout innings and exited with the Dogs leading, 2-0. The 20-year-old Venezuelan allowed just one hit and struck out four with a pair of walks. The righty has yielded just two earned runs (five total) over his last five starts, as stretch of 24 innings to lower his ERA from 3.72 to 2.77.

First baseman Dermis Garcia finished 1-for-4 with an RBI knock in the sixth, extending his hitting streak to 10 in a row. The Dominican Republic native is batting a blistering .359 (14-for-39) over the stretch.

After an hour and 27-minute rain delay pushed back the first pitch, second baseman Oswaldo Cabrera drove in David Metzgar in the first inning as the Holy City chained together a pair of singles to snap a 22-inning scoreless drought going back to Saturday in West Virginia and take the early lead.

Molina enjoyed the only multi-hit night in the Charleston lineup.

Charleston is now 3-7 in extra inning games this season. They had last won a contest that went to extras on May 3 at The Joe against Asheville in 10 innings.

Upcoming

The RiverDogs return home to close out the final 12 games of the season in the Palmetto State, starting with a four-game homestand on Thursday facing Greenville at 7:05 from The Joe. It's the final Budweiser Thirsty Thursday of the season featuring dollar beers and the tunes of DJ Natty Heavy in the Budweiser Ashley View Pub. Charleston will throw right-hander Janson Junk (6-4, 3.72) in his first appearance since combining in Charleston's no-hitter last Thursday in Delmarva. For those that can't make it to the park, Thursday's contest can be tuned into on "The Big Talker" WTMA 1250 AM in the tri-county area and with online streaming audio via the RiverDogs' TuneIn radio station.

RiverDogs single-game tickets, including options to the Riley Park Club, are available for the remainder of 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.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 21, 2018


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