RiverDogs Send Tourists Packing with 6-1 Win

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Two three-run innings and a 4-for-5 night by Jorge Mateo led the Charleston RiverDogs to a 6-1 win over the Asheville Tourists in the second game of the series Saturday in front of 5,073 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

The RiverDogs (34-35) were defeated 6-4 in the first game of the series, but bounced quickly on Saturday with three runs in the first inning. Mateo singled, stole second, and moved up to third on a base hit by Dustin Fowler. Fowler attempted to steal second, drew a throw by the catcher Dom Nunez, and Mateo stole home while Fowler was caught in a run down stealing second.

After two straight strikeouts, Austin Aune blasted an RBI triple to deep center field. After a Vince Conde walk, Alexander Palma drove in the third run of the frame with a base hit to left field. Asheville starting pitcher Sam Howard (2-8) took the loss and exited the game after facing eight men and only getting two outs in the first. Charleston sent all nine batters up to the plate in the big inning.

Charleston added insurance to their lead with another three-run inning in the fourth. Rainiero Coa tallied his first RBI as a RiverDog with a single to center that scored Bo Thompson, the second of four Charleston singles in a row. Mateo and Fowler both followed with base hits to plate Coa, and then Mateo scored safely ahead of tag on a fielder's choice at home.

Asheville (32-37) scored their lone run in the top of the eighth. Emerson Jimenez reached on a fielding error by the first baseman Thompson, stole second, and crossed home after back-to-back groundouts. Forrest Wall drove in the run and leads the Tourists with 37 RBIs.

Matt Wotherspoon (2-0) went six strong innings, did not allow a run, and only gave up four hits while striking out six batters. He earned his second win as a RiverDog and second against the Tourists as well. Joey Maher gave up an unearned run in the eighth and Philip Walby delivered a scoreless ninth in the win.

TONIGHT AT THE BALLPARK: Fans came together once again at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park Saturday evening and stood together in a moment of silence before the National Anthem in memory of those affected by Wednesday's tragedy. Fans also joined together in singing God Bless American during the Seventh Inning Stretch. Saturday was the first night of Larry Doby Heritage Weekend. The 1955 Cannon Street All-Star team,Kaitlyn Tucker who received Lawrence A. Holt Scholarship, and Reverend Theodore Radford Lewis, Jr. who received the 2015 RiverDogs Humanitarian Award were all honored with a pregame ceremony on the field. The RiverDogs also be hosted a book release with "A Backpack Journalist." The group, made up of local school children, wrote and published a book on Larry Doby, Mike Veeck and the Charleston RiverDogs. Dr. W. Franklin Evans, the president of South Carolina State University, joined Dan Acheson for an inning on the radio broadcast. The Burke High School Boy's State Champion Basketball Team was honored in-between innings and drew a rousing ovation from the crowd and RiverDogs players. 

BOX SCORE: http://atmilb.com/1BDCzCY

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: https://youtu.be/ldykBzh2d1Q

COMING UP: The RiverDogs conlcude their three-game series and first-half of the season with the Asheville Tourists Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Charleston will send LHP Rony Bautista (3-1, 3.38 ERA) to the mound to face LHP Helmis Rodriguez (5-3, 3.28 ERA) for the Tourists. You can watch the game on MiLB.tv or listen to the action on "The Big Talker" 1250 WTMA, WTMA.com, and RiverDogs.com.

Larry Doby Heritage Weekend continues on Father's Day with a special start time of 2:05 p.m. In honor of the Negro Leagues, both the RiverDogs and Tourists will wear throwback uniforms of the Homestead Grays and the Newark Eagles. Former Nergo Leaguer Clifford Layton will also be on hand for a special pregame recognition and to meet fans on the concourse.

Every Sunday at The Joe is a Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission Kids Club Sunday, presented by Y102.5. Parking is free, and kids 12-under eat free courtesy of Pepsi. They will receive a coupon for a hot dog, fountain drink and chips. All members of the RiverDogs Kids Club receive free admission to every Family Sunday Game. The RiverDogs Kids Club, known as the RiverPups, is free to join and open to all kids 12-and-under. Stick around after the game to receive free autographs on the field from all of your favorite RiverDogs players and coaches.

-RIVERDOGS-