SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Sand Gnats Nip RiverDogs, 3-1

Published on April 20, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Sean Ratcliff's second inning homer and a quartet of Savannah pitchers nipped the RiverDogs, 3-1, in South Atlantic League action Monday evening in front of 857 fans at Savannah's Historic Grayson Stadium.

With the defeat, the RiverDogs drop to 6-5 and lose consecutive games for the first time this season while the Sand Gnats remain atop the Sally League's Southern Division with and 8-3 record.

Savannah took an initial 1-0 advantage over the Dogs when Ratliff cracked a solo blast over the right field fence to lead off the Sand Gnats half of the second inning.

The Sand Gnats doubled their lead and took a 2-0 advantage in the fifth inning after Eric Campbell singled to center and then was followed by Rafael Fernandez who lined a single that advanced Campbell to second. Joshua Satin was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Jordany Valdespin who knocked in Campbell on a smashed infield single.

Rain began to fall at an intensive rate in Savannah that caused a sixty-two minute rain delay prior the top of the seventh inning.

Charleston cut into the Sand Gnats lead in the eighth inning when Brian Baisley laced a double down the left field line. Abraham Almonte followed with a double that scored Baisley and extended Almonte's hitting streak to 10 games.

Savannah reclaimed a two-run advantage in the bottom half of the eighth inning when Valdespin dropped a bunt single only to race around to third after Mitch Abeita's throwing error trying to eliminate Valdespin's stolen base attempt at second sailed into the outfield. Wilmer Flores whacked a single up the middle that plated Vladespin for the Sand Gnats third and final run.

Sand Gnats closer Erik Turgeron (SV, 3) slammed the door on the RiverDogs for a four-out save that secured the 3-1 Savannah victory.

Savannah starter Elvin Ramirez (2-0) mesmerized Charleston's bats for six shutout inning on the mound where he sprinkled five hits and struck out four RiverDogs.

RiverDogs starter Andrew Brackman (0-2) pitched favorably over six innings where he only allowed two earned runs off of five hits and struck out eight Sand Gnats.

The RiverDogs and Savannah Sand Gnats will have their alarm clocks set early Tuesday morning as they will square off at 10:30 a.m. at Savannah's Historic Grayson Stadium. Charleston turns to former Clemson standout right-hander D.J. Mitchell (1-0, 0.75 ERA) while Savannah is scheduled to send righty Christopher Schwinden (2-0, 0.82 ERA) to take the hill.

The RiverDogs finish their quick two-game stop in Savannah before strolling into Augusta for a three-game series that completes their nine-day road trip through Georgia. After the longest road trip of the season, Charleston returns to the friendly confines of Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Saturday, April 25 for a three-game set versus Savannah.

Check out the Charleston RiverDogs Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 20, 2009


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