SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Santiago Excellent as Augusta Downs Charleston, 5-2

Published on July 4, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, S.C. - Gaspar Santiago one-hit the RiverDogs over 6.0 innings of shutout ball, as the Augusta GreenJackets topped Charleston, 5-2, in South Atlantic League action Monday night in front of a season-high sellout crowd of 7,132 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

Augusta upped its second half mark to 4-8 and 35-47 overall with the victory, while Charleston dropped to 5-7 and 31-51.

Charleston starter Steve Evarts (0-2) and Santiago (3-3) each recorded 1-2-3 first innings, but the GreenJackets struck for two unearned tallies to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the second.

Ryan Lollis reached on a fielding error by RiverDogs' third baseman Jose Toussen, and crossed to third on a throwing error by Toussen with Josh Mazzola batting. Ryan Scoma made Toussen pay for his indiscretions, lining a RBI single to right-centerfield to drive in Lollis. Joel Weeks accounted for the other score with a RBI groundout, plating Scoma from third.

The GreenJackets upped their advantage to 3-0 in the third inning, as Mazzola hammered a RBI double off the left-centerfield fence to chase home Duvall all the way from first base.

Evarts kept Charleston around by allowing only two hits over his final three frames of work. The southpaw logged 6.0 innings, yielding the three runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk, while fanning two.

Santiago penned 5.0 shutout innings against Charleston in his prior start on June 29, and was magnificent again in this contest. The 21-year old Puerto Rican left-hander permitted only one base hit and a walk in collecting his 18 outs, pitching to contact effectively while notching three strikeouts.

Santiago's exit from the game proved to just what the RiverDogs needed, as they rallied for two runs off the GreenJackets' bullpen to cut their deficit to 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh.

Gary Sanchez worked a leadoff walk, and moved up to second when Kevin Mahoney cracked a single to right field to cap a contentious at-bat. Kyle Higashioka stepped into the batter's box next, and was hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out.

Ramon Flores produced the RiverDogs' first run with a RBI groundout, and Kelvin De Leon inside-outed a bloop single to right field to whittle the GreenJackets' cushion to 3-2.

With runners on the corners and one out, Charleston had a chance for more but was turned away by Mario Rodriguez. Rodriguez induced a 5-4-3 double play from Anderson Feliz to maintain the lead.

Aaron Dott was mostly sharp in relief of Evarts for the RiverDogs, but made one mistake that allowed the GreenJackets to put up an insurance run in the top of the eighth. Mazzola cranked his seventh home run of the season on a 3-2 pitch, extending the Augusta lead to 4-2.

Augusta played long ball again in the ninth to regain a three-run advantage at 5-2. Weeks drilled his first-round tripper of the campaign off Kelvin Perez, parking a line drive shot just clear of the right field wall.

Stephen Harrold wiggled in and out of harm's way to secure his 13th save of the season in the ninth. Harrold issued free passes to Sanchez and De Leon around a single to Mahoney, filling the sacks with two outs to bring Feliz to the dish as the winning run. Feliz struck out swinging, however, to end the game.

JULY 4th ATTENDANCE: Tonight's attendance of 7,132 ranks as the fifth highest mark in the last six seasons:

7,132 - 2011

7,536 - 2010

7,378 - 2009

7,019 - 2008

7,931 - 2007

8,257 - 2006

Seating Capacity: 5,549

BALLPARK FUN: Fans were treated to the best Fourth of July fireworks display in the Lowcountry after the game. Every Monday, the RiverDogs partner with a local nonprofit organization to generate exposure and funds for a specific cause, presented by The Bridge at 105.5 FM. This week's featured ally was Crime Stoppers. Fans were able to support a worthy cause to better the community while enjoying $1 beers in the Ashley View Pub as one capped off the extended holiday weekend on another Hair of the Dog Monday, presented by 98Rock.

UP NEXT: Right-hander Zach Nuding (5-5, 4.60 ERA) is slated to take the ball for Charleston as the RiverDogs continue their four-game set with the GreenJackets. Fellow righty Shawn Sanford (4-6, 2.80 ERA) is expected to toe the rubber for Augusta.

Get out of that middle of the work-week funk by heading to The Joe to watch the RiverDogs take on the San Francisco Giants affiliate. It's another KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets: Buy one ticket, get one free from KRAFT Singles. Bring a package wrapper to Riley Park on Tuesdays for a steal of a deal, so visit kraftsingles.com for more information as exclusions apply. It is also the first of two RiverDogs social media appreciation days, as those who have chosen to "Be Your Own Fan" through Facebook, Twitter and Text Club memberships will receive a message offering them one free ticket.

Check out the Charleston RiverDogs Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 4, 2011


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