RiverDogs Strand Winning Run, Swept by Shorebirds

CHARLESTON, S.C. - A Dermis Garcia eighth inning, three-run home run got the Charleston RiverDogs within one, but the tying and winning runs were stranded in the ninth as the Delmarva Shorebirds completed the three-game sweep, 7-6, in front on 5,034 at Riley Park on Friday night.
Garcia uncorked his eighth of the season off Delmarva (49-40, 14-8) reliever Nick Gruener with left fielder Carlos Vidal and shortstop Wilkerman Garcia on the base paths. The RiverDogs (45-43, 12-8) first baseman extended his hitting streak to a season-best eight games with his two-hit effort. The 20-year-old is 10-for-30 during the streak, raising his average to .222 after starting his season 11-for-71 (.155).
Garcia was one of four Dogs to collect two hits, along with shortstop Wilkerman Garcia, second baseman Oswaldo Cabrera, and catcher Jason Lopez.

Down 6-0 after the top of the fifth, the RiverDogs got their runs in the home half of the frame when designated hitter Mitchell Hansen stroked a two-run triple to right off the glove of first baseman Ryan Riken, plating Lopez and center fielder Leonardo Molina. The three-bagger marked Hansen's third triple in 10 games since joining the RiverDogs. Five of the Plano, TX native's eight hits have gone for extra bases.
The Dogs got another run in the sixth when third baseman Chris Hess drove a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home Wilkerman Garcia for his team-leading 42nd run.
Charleston starter Miguel Yajure (2-1) took his first loss in his shortest outing of the season. The Venezuelan righty went 3 1/3 innings, allowing the first five Delmarva runs on eight hits.
The Holy City dropped its fourth consecutive game for the first time since May 15-18 and lost its third straight home game for the first time all season. With Greenville's doubleheader victory against Rome, the RiverDogs and Drive are now tied for the first-place lead in the Southern Division. Charleston has had at least a share of the division lead every day of the second-half.
Ballpark Fun
Friday night concluded with Home Telecom Postgame Fireworks. Also, local celebrity Vincent, Baseball's Littlest Umpire made an appearance, calling the strikes during the ceremonial first pitches and signaling his rulings from the stands.
Upcoming
The RiverDogs welcome the Hickory Crawdads, the Class A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, to The Joe for the first time this season on Saturday. Game one of the four-game series starts at 6:05 as right-hander Janson Junk (3-1, 4.37) takes the bump for the Dogs. Saturday's series opener will be broadcast on "The Big Talker" WTMA 1250 AM with audio streaming live at riverdogs.com and the RiverDogs' TuneIn radio station, with live video available on MiLB.tv.
RiverDogs single-game tickets, including options to the Riley Park Club, are now available for the 2018 campaign, the club's 25^th season as the RiverDogs and their "175^th 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/tickets.
--RIVERDOGS--