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Charleston RiverDogs

RiverDogs take three of four from Suns

April 23, 2004 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


(Charleston-SC)- Elliot Johnson had three hits, scored two runs, and drove home two, as the RiverDogs defeated the Hagerstown Suns 8-4 Friday in front of 4,966 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

With the victory, the RiverDogs (9-6) took three of four games from the Suns (3-9).

Johnson has set the tone offensively for the RiverDogs over the first 15 games of the season. He leads the team in runs scored, RBI, walks and stolen bases.

A non-drafted free agent from Safford, AZ, Johnson began Friday's game with a leadoff triple in the bottom of the first inning, later scoring on a Jason Pridie sacrifice fly.

Charleston extended the lead in the fifth, when Delmon Young delivered a two-out, bases loaded single to center field off Suns starter Ryan Sadowski (0-2), plating two.

Johnson added an RBI single in the sixth inning, extending the lead to 4-0. He reached base in all five of his plate appearances.

Charleston would add to the advantage with three more runs an inning later, when reliever Mike Musgrave lost his control. Musgrave threw two wild pitches, hit a batter and walked two, including Johnson with the bases loaded. Colt Simmons and Nate Dion had RBI hits in the frame.

Hagerstown rallied for four runs in the top of the eighth inning against RiverDogs reliever Ryan McCally, before Wes Bankston's solo homer in the bottom half capped the scoring. It was Bankston's fourth home run of the season.

James Houser, who missed his last start due to minor stiffness in his left shoulder, started the game for Charleston and pitched three hitless innings. Manuel Basilio (1-0) relieved Houser, and pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings to pick up the victory. Bob Cramer recorded the last five outs to pick up his second save of the year.

Elijah Dukes and Nate Dion each had two hits for Charleston. Mike Wagner and Patrick Dobson had multiple-hit games for the Suns.

The RiverDogs begin a four-game series with the Lake County Captains Saturday night at Riley Park. It marks the first trip to "The Joe" for the Captains, who compiled a 97-43 record in their inaugural season of 2003. Right-handed pitcher Jason Hammel (0-2) looks for his first victory of the season. Left-hander Rafael Perez (NR) is expected to start for the Captains. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Tickets for all RiverDogs home games and the 45th Annual South Atlantic League All-Star Game, June 29 at Riley Park, are available in person at the Riley Park Box Office, by phone at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) and online at riverdogs.com and etix.com.

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