COLUMBIA, S.C. - Starting hurler Janson Junk gave the Charleston RiverDogs six one-run innings, but it wasn't until the seventh that Charleston cracked the run column, eventually rallying for two three-run innings to defeat the Columbia Fireflies, 6-1, at Spirit Communications Park on Wednesday night.In his final start of the
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Starting hurler Janson Junk gave the Charleston RiverDogs six one-run innings, but it wasn't until the seventh that Charleston cracked the run column, eventually rallying for two three-run innings to defeat the Columbia Fireflies, 6-1, at Spirit Communications Park on Wednesday night.
In his final start of the season, Junk (7-5), allowed a leadoff home run to shortstop Hansel Moreno in the bottom of the first before going scoreless for the rest of his outing. Junk retired 12 of 13 Fireflies (61-67, 27-34) at one point and struck out seven to match a career-high, allowing just two hits after the long ball.
Columbia starter Zac Grotz (3-6) held the RiverDogs (61-70, 28-35) in check until the seventh, giving up three hits in the first six frames. Charleston got to the former Indy Leaguer when right fielder Carlos Vidal singled home Leonardo Molina, chasing Grotz. The Dogs took their first lead two batters later on a Dermis Garcia triple to centerfield off Darwin Ramos, allowing Vidal and catcher Jerry Seitz to cross and give Charleston a 3-1 advantage.
Garcia has hit safely in 16 of his last 17 contests and has reached safely in 19 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the South Atlantic League.
The RiverDogs added insurance in the ninth with their second three-run inning that started with Oswaldo Cabrera's RBI double to score Seitz. Chris Hess joined the hit parade with a run-scoring single that brought home Cabrera. Third baseman Welfrin Mateo added the 10th hit and final run when his single plated Garcia.
Right-hander Dalton Higgins earned his first save with the RiverDogs, going the final three frames and allowing one hit while striking out four.
Charleston improved to 7-2 at Spirit Communications Park this season and now hold a 13-7 series lead over its in-state opponent.
Upcoming
Charleston will go for the series victory in their road finale on Thursday night at Spirit Communications Park. In his final turn on the mound, right-hander Alex Mauricio (1-1, 4.82) will start the game for Charleston, coming off a 6 1/3 shutout inning performance on Friday that garnered South Atlantic League "Pitcher of the Week" honors. He will be opposed by Fireflies righty Marcel Renteria (4-3, 4.33). Thursday'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.
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