RiverDogs Smack Sand Gnats, 5-3
June 5, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release
CHARLESTON, SC - Behind Melky Mesa's two-run double in fourth inning and four costly Savannah errors the RiverDogs smacked the Sand Gnats, 5-3, in South Atlantic League action Friday in front of 2,133 fans at Savannah's Historic Grayson Stadium.
With the victory the RiverDogs finish the road trip with a 5-3 record and leap to 31-23 on the season while the Sand Gnats fall to 26-28.
Savannah snatched an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Rafael Fernandez knocked a leadoff single up the middle, advanced to second on Jefry Marte's single to right and then Sean Ratliff lined a single to right that drove home Fernandez for the game's first run.
The Sand Gnats tacked on an additional run in the home half of the second when Matthew Gaski laced a double to right and advanced to third on right fielder Dan Brewer's fielding error. Fernandez followed with a lined single to right that plated Gaski to make the score 2-0.
Charleston captured a 4-2 advantage in the top of the third when Jose Pirela slapped a single to left and then advanced to second on a walk to Brewer. David Adams reached on a fielding error by shortstop Wilmer Flores that loaded the bases. With the sacks packed, Mesa slugged a double to left that knocked home Pirela and Brewer while Adams dashed to third. Addison Maruszak walked to reload the bases and then Mike Lyon singled to left to knock home Adams while Mesa was thrown out at the plate. Then catcher Ralph Henriquez was charged with a throwing error on a toss back to the pitcher that allowed Maruszak to score the inning's fourth run.
The RiverDogs seized a 5-2 lead in the fourth frame when Neall French reached on a leadoff walk and then Chase Weems dropped a sacrifice bunt that third baseman Marte misplayed with a throwing error that allowed French to advance to third while Weems scampered into second. Adams lifted a sacrifice fly to center to drive in French that gave Charleston a three-run advantage.
Savannah cut into Charleston's 5-3 lead in the fifth when Fernandez singled up the middle and then scored on Marte's double to left field.
The trio of Dan Kapala, Jonathan Ortiz and Pat Venditte, professional baseball's lone ambidextrous pitcher, held the Sand Gnats scoreless over the final four innings. Venditte earned his league leading 17th save when he only allowed one hit and struck out the side in the ninth to secure the RiverDogs win.
Charleston starter David Phelps (5-1) registered the win as he held Savannah to three earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three in 5.0 innings on the mound.
Sand Gnats starter Elvin Ramirez (3-4) was charged with the loss when he was roughed up for five runs (two earned) on four hits and seven walks while striking out three in 3.2 innings pitched.
The Sand Gnats out hit the RiverDogs 12 to seven as Savannah's trio of Fernandez, Marte and Henriquez each blasted three base knocks apiece while Charleston was lead by Pirela and Lyon who each collected a pair.
The RiverDogs begin a six-game homestand with a three-game set against the Rome Braves, an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. With first pitch set for Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Charleston will send right-hander Andrew Brackman (1-4, 3.53 ERA) while Rome is scheduled to oppose with righty Ezekiel Spruill (4-4, 3.66 ERA).
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