SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Tourists Spend RiverDogs, 3-1

Published on May 16, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


Jhoulys Chacin scattered five hits over eight innings and Jeffrey Cunningham hit a game-winning two-run double in the eighth as the Asheville Tourists topped the Charleston RiverDogs, 3-1, to overtake first place in the Southern Division in South Atlantic League action Friday night in front of 4,406 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

The start of the game was delayed one-hour and fifteen minutes due to rain in the Lowcountry.

With the victory, the Tourists draw first blood in this battle of the top two teams in the SAL and take a one-half game lead over the RiverDogs. Asheville improves to 28-14 on the season, while Charleston falls to 27-14.

The loss overshadowed a spectacular pitching performance by Charleston's Dellin Betances, who threw six innings of no-hit ball and fanned eight while allowing only an unearned run.

Charleston's major offensive slump continued, due in large part to the terrific pitching of Chacin (6-1), who defeated the RiverDogs for the second time in a week. The RiverDogs have now mustered only three runs over their last 35 innings at the plate the last four games.

The Tourists took the lead for good in the eighth against reliever Wilkins de la Rosa (1-1). Everth Cabrera and Michael Mitchell recorded opening inning back-to-back singles leaving runners on the corners with none out.

After Mitchell stole second, de la Rosa struck out Brian Rike and induced a pop out from Darin Holcomb to instill hope that he might escape the jam. With two outs, however, Cunningham doubled down the right field line scoring both runners and giving the visitors' the lead for good at 3-1.

The RiverDogs threatened against closer Randall Taylor in the ninth, as singles by Jesus Montero and Carmen Angelini mixed with a walk to Braedyn Pruitt loaded the bases with two outs. Taylor escaped the jam by getting Chase Odenreider to fly out to left field harmlessly and end the game.

Asheville took an early 1-0 lead in the second after Darin Holcomb reached on an error by RiverDogs first baseman Odenreider and took second on a wild pitch. Holcomb moved to third on a groundout to first by Cunningham and scored on Brian Lapin's groundout to second base.

Charleston came back in the bottom of the third to knot the score at 1-1. Angelini opened the frame with a single and Odenreider was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced on Dave Williams' sacrifice, and Angelini scored on Austin Krum's groundout to shortstop.

On the night, Betances and de la Rosa combined to allow only four Tourists hits and strike out a total of 12 batters.

Chacin struck out six RiverDogs while walking one and hitting one batter. All told, he faced 29 hitters and got 10 to ground out and six to fly out. Taylor recorded his 11th save in as many opportunities on the season.

Charleston was limited to seven hits, with Angelini recording three and Pruitt two.

Game 2 of this four-game set is slated for 7:05 pm Saturday with Charleston sending righty Lance Pendleton (2-2, 3.42 EA) to the mound while Asheville will counter with righty Cory Riordan (5-2, 2.39 ERA).

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 16, 2008


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