Semple's Outstanding Debut Propels RiverDogs in Shutout Victory
August 27, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release
Charleston RiverDogs third baseman Chris Hess
(Charleston RiverDogs, Credit: Zach Bland)
COLUMBIA, S.C. - University of New Orleans product Shawn Semple struck out a single game career-best 10 Columbia Fireflies and allowed two hits in his first six innings with Charleston as the RiverDogs blanked the New York Mets affiliate, 4-0, in Monday's series opener at Spirit Communications Park.
Semple (1-0) struck out the side in the third and sixth innings and did not walk a batter in his Class-A debut. Columbia (60-66, 26-33) designated hitter Zach Rheams collected both hits against the New Jersey native and went 3-for-3 but was stranded in the on-deck circle in the ninth.
Charleston (60-69, 26-34) took a first inning lead when designated hitter Welfrin Mateo smoked a two-out single to centerfield off Fireflies starter Nicolas Debora (3-4), plating second baseman David Metzgar.
Third baseman Chris Hess gave the Dogs plenty of breathing room with his ninth home run of the season, a three-run blast to left centerfield in the third inning that scored shortstop Oswaldo Cabrera and first baseman Dermis Garcia. Debora's night ended after six innings, surrendering all four runs on five hits and a pair of walks. Garcia's single in the inning gave him a hit in 14 of his last 15 contests, a stretch that the 20-year-old is hitting .322 (19-for-59).
Brooks Kriske also made his RiverDogs pitching debut on Monday. The USC product went two scoreless innings in relief, striking out three Fireflies and allowing Rheams' third hit, a seventh inning single. The right-hander accrued a 1.09 ERA in 24 2/3 innings in Short Season Staten Island before being promoted to Charleston, his first innings since coming back from Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2016 campaign.
Righty Daniel Alvarez shut the door for the Dogs, giving up an infield hit but throwing a scoreless ninth and lowering his ERA to 1.02 in 17 2/3 frames with Charleston.
The RiverDogs had been shut out in four of their previous seven contests and had failed to score three runs in any one of those seven games. With the victory, Charleston improved to 12-6 against its in-state rival this season and 4-3 in the capital city.
Upcoming
Charleston continues their final road trip of the season, taking on the Fireflies on Tuesday night from Spirit Communications Park. 20-year-old righty Miguel Yajure (4-2, 2.77) will toe the slab for Charleston; the Venezuelan native has allowed just a pair of earned runs over his last five starts spanning 24 innings. Columbia will counter with right-hander Tony Dibrell (5-6, 3.76). Tuesday's contest can be heard on "The Big Talker" WTMA 1250 AM in the tri-county area with online streaming audio via the RiverDogs' TuneIn radio station.
RiverDogs single-game tickets, including options to the Riley Park Club, are available for the remainder of the 2018 campaign, the club's 25th season as the RiverDogs and their "175th season in dog years." Ticket information can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com.
Images from this story
 Charleston RiverDogs third baseman Chris Hess (Zach Bland) |
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