Greensboro's Six-Run Fifth Sends Charleston to Third Straight Loss, 7-4

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Greensboro scored six two-out runs in the fifth inning and held off a furious Charleston rally in the ninth in a 7-4 triumph over Charleston in South Atlantic League action at NewBridge Bank Park Saturday evening.

 

The Grasshoppers improve to 15-14, 47-52 overall, while the RiverDogs have dropped three in a row and sit at 13-16, 44-54 overall.

 

Charleston trailed 7-1 entering the ninth, when Neil Medchill and J.R. Murphy ratcheted back-to-back singles against Greensboro's Arquimedes Caminero. Rob Lyerly then came to the dish and cracked a three-run home run - his fourth hit of the game and fourth long ball of the year - cutting the score to 7-4.

 

After a DeAngelo Mack single, Greensboro closer A.J. Ramos came in and recorded consecutive strikeouts, before Slade Heathcott blooped a single to bring the tying run to the plate. However, Jimmy Paredes struck out for the fourth time in the contest to end the game and give Ramos his 21^st save, good for second in the SAL.

 

Medchill lofted his fourth home run of the year in the second to left-centerfield against Greensboro's Matt Montgomery to give Charleston a 1-0 advantage.

 

Montgomery (8-8) locked down Charleston's bats after Medchill's home run, holding the RiverDogs to five hits over 7.0 innings in winning his fourth straight start. The California native walked none, sunk eight, and is now tied for third in the league in victories.

 

Charleston's Mike Solbach only allowed one hit through the first 4.2 frames, but after a two-out walk to Dallas Poulk, Greensboro notched six consecutive two-out hits, scoring six runs in the process to assume a 6-1 lead. Jose Duarte and Chad Cregar hit RBI singles, while Chase Austin and Kyle Jensen each added two-run doubles.

 

Solbach (2-3) lasted just 4.2 innings, surrendering six runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

 

Duarte chipped in with his second RBI single of the contest in the sixth against Ryan Flannery, increasing the Grasshoppers lead to 7-1.

 

Lyerly had four of Charleston's 10 hits, five of which came in the ninth, while Heathcott and Medchill added two each.

 

Game two of this series starts at 4 p.m. on Sunday, with Charleston pitching right-hander Jose Ramirez (4-4, 3.28 ERA) against Greensboro southpaw Edgar Olmos (2-3, 3.66 ERA).