SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Romanski Wins 4th Straight, Castro Rules with 4-for-4 Performance, R'Dogs Win 3-2

Published on July 17, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Josh Romanski penned 7.0 innings of five-hit baseball, Kelvin Castro went 4-for-4, and Charleston's defense turned a season-high five double play, as the RiverDogs held off Augusta, 3-2, in front of 3,474 fans in South Atlantic League action at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Saturday night.

With the victory Charleston climbs to 11-12, 42-50 overall and has won nine of the last 11 games against Augusta. The GreenJackets dropped to 11-12, 52-41 overall.

The RiverDogs lit up the board first in the bottom of the second when, Castro's infield single off the chest of Augusta pitcher Brian Irving allowed Rob Lyerly to come home from third for a 1-0 RiverDogs lead. Lyerly singled to the right side to reach base, advancing to second on Kyle Higashioka's fielder's choice and moving to third on Hector Rabago's groundout.

Slade Heathcott then delivered a RBI single to centerfield to plate Higashioka from third, bringing the Charleston lead to 2-0 going into the third.

With two outs in the top of the fourth and Ryan Cavan at third base, Chris Dominguez legged out an infield single to score Cavan and cut the score to 2-1.

DeAngelo Mack added some cushion to the Charleston lead in the bottom of the fifth, when he crushed his team-leading ninth home run of the season off the centerfield batter's eye against Brian Irving, bringing the score to 3-1 Charleston going into the sixth.

Augusta rallied in the eighth inning against Romanski, when Dan Cook reached on an error to open the frame and moved to third on Hector Sanchez's double off the scoreboard in left.

All-Star reliever Ryan Flannery entered for the RiverDogs, and shortstop Ydwin Villegas reached on Charleston's second error of the inning allowing Cook to score and move pinch-runner Juan Martinez to third for a 3-2 score.

Evan Crawford followed with a groundball to second which turned into a double play, when Villegas was called for interference on Castro's attempted throw to first, which forced Martinez to stay at third due to the dead ball. With two outs, Flannery caught Cavan looking to end the inning.

In the ninth, Tommy Joseph hit a one-out single to centerfield off Flannery, but the RiverDogs turned their fifth double play of the game off the bat of Dominguez to finish the 3-2 win.

Flannery notched the save, his team-leading 11th of the year, after giving up just one hit in 2.0 innings on the mound.

Charleston starter Romanski (5-2) takes the win after surrendering just five hits and two runs, one earned, with three strikeouts in 7.0 innings of work. The former University of San Diego standout won his fourth start in a row and opened the game retiring the nine of the first 10 batters.

Irving (5-3) absorbs the loss, giving up three runs on seven hits in 5.0 innings, while issuing three walks and posting five punchouts.

Castro registered his first four-hit game as a RiverDog to anchor Charleston's nine-hit attack, while Heathcott went 2-for-4 with a stolen base. The RiverDogs have now won three straight one-run games after losing eight consecutive one-run contests.

The final contest of this five-game series is set for Sunday at 5:05 p.m., with Charleston sending right-hander Sean Black (4-6, 4.83) to the mound, while Augusta counters with right-hander Chris Heston (3-10, 4.66).

BALLPARK FUN: It was the RiverDogs' "Be Your Own Statue" Mr. Lady Liberty giveaway, featuring the likeness of the Democratic Senate hopeful Alvin Greene! The first 1,000 fans through the turnstiles got a hold of the mini statues, destined to become RiverDogs collectors' items.

UP NEXT: It's another CCPRC Family Sunday at Riley Park with a special 5:05 first pitch! Get here early for family catch on the field

Check out the Charleston RiverDogs Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 17, 2010


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