Charleston Holds On to Defeat Greenville

GREENVILLE, SC - The Charleston RiverDogs got off to another early lead in Greenville on Saturday night, and this time the lead stuck as the RiverDogs held off the Greenville Drive 10-8 at Fluor Field in The West End in South Atlantic League action.

With the win, the RiverDogs improve to 23-16 overall and move into a tie with the Augusta GreenJackets for first place. With the loss, the Drive fall to 13-29 and remain in last place in the Southern Division standings.

Charleston's offense struck early again Saturday night and kept the scoring going throughout the game to get back to their winning ways. The RiverDogs scored four runs in the first inning on one hit, they added a single run in the second and third innings and another pair of runs in the fourth. Charleston was able to capitalize on six first inning walks to get out to an early lead that they would not relinquish.

Peter O'Brien went 1-for-4, scoring three times and extended his hitting streak to eight games. Reymond Nunez led the RiverDogs offense, going 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBI and a run scored.

RiverDogs starter Vicente Campos threw three innings and allowed a run on three hits and struckout two. Campos was relieved by Luis Niebla who was making his second appearance in a RiverDogs uniform. Niebla (1-0) did not disappoint as he picked up the victory for Charleston. He was spotted a comfortable lead and was able to go five innings as he scattered four runs on six hits and recorded a pair of strikeouts. Brett Gerritse closed out the ninth for the RiverDogs making the game look closer than it actually was.

Greenville starter Cody Kukuk (2-5) took the loss Saturday night for the Drive. Kukuk lasted two-thirds of an inning and allowed four runs on one hit and walked five. Kukuk's outing is tied for the shortest outing by an opposing pitcher against the RiverDogs this season.

Greenville's offense sputtered out of the gates like their pitching. The Drive plated seven of their eight runs after the fifth inning. Greenville made the game interesting in the ninth as Brett Gerritse toed the rubber for Charleston. After retiring the first two batters, Greenville sent six batters to the plate all with two outs. It started with an Aneury Tavarez double and ended with Jordan Weems being caught looking to end the game. In all, the Drive scored three runs on four hits and left the two tying runs on base in the bottom of the ninth.

Mookie Betts led the offensive charge for the Greenville Drive, going 2-for-4 with a homer, single and walk in the leadoff spot. Betts extended his hitting streak to a season best 13 games.

The RiverDogs and Drive finish up their four game series Sunday afternoon at Fluor Field at the West End in Greenville with first pitch scheduled for 4:05pm. Charleston sends LHP Daniel Camarena (0-2, 6.75 ERA) to the mound as Greenville counters with RHP Austin Maddox (0-4, 8.51 ERA). You can listen to the game locally on ESPN 910 AM and online at www.riverdogs.com.

 

                                                   

--RIVERDOGS-