R'Dogs Silence Crowd, Salvage Series Finale 5-4

ASHEVILLE, NC - Righty Luis Cedeno did not allow an earned run and was helped out with a four-run fourth by his offense as the Charleston RiverDogs downed the Asheville Tourists 5-4 in the final game of the three-game road trip Thursday night at McCormick Field.

Cedeno set career-highs in innings pitched and strikeouts and did not allow an earned run in his second start with Charleston (13-8). He was aided by his offense, which supplied him with a four-run cushion in the fourth. Connor Spencer drove in a run on a fielder's choice, Austin Aune plated two with an RBI double, and then Gosuke Katoh capped the multiple-run inning off with a single to center two batters later.

Asheville (9-12) was held scoreless over the first five innings, but made some noise in the bottom of the sixth. Forrest Wall stepped in with two on and blasted a three-run home run over the 35-foot wall in right field against reliever Sean Carley.

Eduardo de Oleo added a key run of insurance with an RBI single in the top of the eighth, extending the lead to 5-3. That extra run proved to be the difference in the game as Asheville scored one more in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI double by Sean Dwyer.

The Tourists put the tying run on base in the bottom of the ninth but could not score. Joe Harvey silenced the rowdy crowd at McCormick Field and struck out Randy Reyes to end the game.

Cedeno (2-0) earned the win and delivered a career-high five and one-third innings, while striking out a career-high eight batters. Harvey earned his fourth save and Asheville's starter, Ryan Castellani (0-2) was dealt the loss. With the victory, the RiverDogs improve to 13-8 on the season and take sole possession of first place again as the Greenville Drive lost 6-5 against the Kannapolis Intimidators.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/1QRElEu

COMING UP: The RiverDogs return home Friday to open up a four-game series against the Hickory Crawdads (Rangers affiliate) at The Joe. The RiverDogs are slated to send RHP Joey Maher (0-0, 3.95) to the hill against RHP Reed Garrett (1-1, 4.85) You can watch the game on MiLB.tv or listen to the action on "The Big Talker" 1250 WTMA, WTMA.com, and RiverDogs.com.

This is the third ISHPI Red Shirt Friday of the season and it is presented by WEZL, with postgame fireworks over the scenic Ashley River presented by Home Telecom. Canines for Veterans will once again bring "Titus the Bat Dog" to perform his bat boy duties during the game. The RiverDogs will wear special red jerseys as a show of support for our military. Friday is also Boy Scouts Night at The Joe. In addition to all the scouts attending the game, they will also be camping out on the field after the conclusion of the game.

-RIVERDOGS-