Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon
Single-A Affiliate
The Official Site of the Charleston RiverDogs Charleston RiverDogs

Smith Strikes Out 13 Shorebirds in RiverDogs Rout

Southpaw Caleb Smith quiets Delmarva with record-setting outing, backed by consistent offense
April 24, 2014

SALISBURY, MD - A career-high 13 strikeouts from Caleb Smith in six shutout innings highlighted a 6-0 Charleston RiverDogs win over the Delmarva Shorebirds on Thursday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in South Atlantic League action. Smith's 13 strikeouts is the highest total by any RiverDogs pitcher since Charleston became a New York Yankees affiliate in 2005.

After its first shutout of the season, Charleston is now 11-9 overall and 3-1 during this seven-game road trip. Delmarva's record drops to 9-11 following its fourth loss in its last five games.

Charleston scored early and often against Delmarva, but Smith was even more efficient. The southpaw struck out at least two Shorebirds in each frame, including three strikeouts in the fifth inning. Smith allowed just three hits and also retired eight straight batters in a stretch from the end of the first inning into the fourth. Smith also has 11.1 consecutive scoreless innings pitched, the best RiverDogs streak at any point this year.

The RiverDogs started their offense with back-to-back hits against Delmarva's Mitch Horacek before putting across the game's first run. Abiatal Avelino doubled and reached third base on a Jose Rosario single. Avelino scored on a double play off the bat of Aaron Judge, giving Charleston a 1-0 advantage in the first inning.

An early RiverDogs lead grew to 4-0 during the second inning. Gosuke Katoh's bases-loaded double scored Michael O'Neill and Miguel Andujar for a three-run lead. On the next pitch, Kale Sumner came in after a passed ball.

Charleston added runs in the third and fourth for a 6-0 advantage. With the bases loaded, Sumner's sacrifice fly brought in Judge during the third. In the fourth, Mikeson Oliberto collected a leadoff triple and was driven in by a single from Rosario.

Smith moved up to 2-1 after earning the victory in a record-setting appearance. Horacek was the losing pitcher for Delmarva, falling to 0-2. Jordan Cote followed Smith with three shutout innings to finish the game and claimed the first save of his professional career.

COMING UP: Game two of this four-game series is scheduled for 7:05pm on Friday evening. Charleston RHP Rookie Davis (2-0, 2.75 ERA) will pitch against Delmarva RHP Sebastian Vader (1-1, 2.84 ERA). Starting on Tuesday, April 29, the RiverDogs will host a seven-game homestand at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. Harris Teeter 2-for-$20 Date Night Tuesday, presented by Nash FM 96.9, offers a great deal with two tickets, two tacos, two fountain drinks, and one nacho tray for just $20 for couples that show their VIC Card at the box office. Tickets may be purchased at the Riley Park Box Office, (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or on-line at www.riverdogs.com. If fans cannot make it to the ballpark, they are encouraged to tune in to all the action this year both home and away worldwide on www.riverdogs.com and locally on 1250 WTMA, the new radio home for RiverDogs baseball.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/1iiSN9F

--RIVERDOGS--