Yajure's Strong Stretch Ends in Columbia, RiverDogs Throttled by Fireflies
August 28, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release
Welfrin Mateo of the Charleston RiverDogs
(Charleston RiverDogs, Credit: Zach Bland)
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Starting pitcher Miguel Yajure had allowed two total earned runs over his previous five outings entering Tuesday night, but the Charleston right-hander was touched up for seven runs as the Columbia Fireflies defeated the RiverDogs, 11-2, at Spirit Communications Park.
Columbia (61-66, 27-33) racked up 16 hits against the RiverDogs, matching a season high against Charleston, with the 20-year-old Yajure (4-3) surrendering the first ten. Charleston (60-70, 27-35) reliever Alexander Vargas gave up four insurance tallies in the seventh as the Fireflies poured on the most runs against the RiverDogs since an 11-6 defeat to Delmarva on July 12.
The 'Flies got out to a first inning lead when left fielder Zach Rheams collected his first two RBI on a single that scored Edgardo Fermin and Matt Winaker. After the first of two four-run innings for Columbia in the fourth, Rheams added a tally with his sixth home run, an opposite solo blast to left centerfield. The Texas Tech product is now 5-for-8 in the first two games of the four-game tilt.
A run-scoring double from first baseman Dermis Garcia against righty Tony Dibrell (6-6) put the RiverDogs on the board in the third inning. The 20-year-old has hit safely in 15 of his last 16 contests while batting .323 (20-for-62).
Dibrell earned the win, improving to 3-0 against the RiverDogs in five starts this season. The former Kennesaw State Owl has a 2.10 ERA in 30 innings against Charleston, including 33 punchouts.
The RiverDogs cut the deficit to five runs at the time when third baseman Chris Hess tripled and crossed on a Welfrin Mateo sacrifice fly in the sixth. Mateo finished 2-for-3 and has driven in a run in each of the first two contests at Spirit Communications Park.
With the blowout defeat, the Holy City has been trounced by nine runs twice in the last eight games including a 9-0 blanking in West Virginia on August 20. The two recent losses mark the largest margins of defeat this season for the Dogs.
The RiverDogs still hold the season series advantage over the New York Mets affiliate, 12-7, and have a 6-2 record in the capital city.
Upcoming
Charleston continues their final road trip of the season, matching up the Fireflies in game three on Wednesday night from Spirit Communications Park. Right-hander Janson Junk (6-5, 3.94) is slated to take the ball in his final start of the season. The Mets affiliate will throw righty Zac Grotz (3-5, 5.00). Wednesday'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
 Welfrin Mateo of the Charleston RiverDogs (Zach Bland) |
South Atlantic League Stories from August 28, 2018
- Opportunity Missed; Tourists Fall in 11 - Asheville Tourists
- Legends Drop Game Two to Greenjackets - Lexington Legends
- GreenJackets Get Revenge in Game Two - Augusta GreenJackets
- Yajure's Strong Stretch Ends in Columbia, RiverDogs Throttled by Fireflies - Charleston RiverDogs
- Suns Held to Three Hits in 5-2 Loss on Tuesday - Hagerstown Suns
- Offense Ignites While Dibrell Sets Strikeout Record - Columbia Fireflies
- Hernandez Single Buries 'Birds in Ninth - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Stafford's Home Run Leads Power to Fifth Straight Win - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Owenby Walks It Off, Braves Win 2-1 - Rome Emperors
- Braves Walk off with Win over Drive on Tuesday - Greenville Drive
- Four Named to SAL Post-Season All-Star Team - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Fireflies Game Notes: August 28 vs. Charleston (Game 127) - Columbia Fireflies
- Czinege and Golden Claim Back-To-Back Player of the Week Awards - Asheville Tourists
- Casey Golden Named SAL Most Valuable Player - Asheville Tourists
- No Rhyme Or Reason About It, RiverDogs Give Away Ten Grand, Approach Record Year in Final Homestand - Charleston RiverDogs
- Minick Law - Hard Hitting Player Feature - Moises Ceja - Asheville Tourists
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (august 28) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- SAL Annual All Star Team Announced - SAL1
- Denyi Reyes Named South Atlantic League Most Outstanding Pitcher - Greenville Drive
- Encarnacion, Jarrett Named Postseason All-Stars - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Cruz and Mitchell Tabbed as 2018 South Atlantic League Annual All-Stars - Charleston Dirty Birds
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