Contreras Strong in Dogs Debut as Augusta Claims Series Opener

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Teenage hurler Roansy Contreras impressed in his RiverDogs debut but swallowed a tough-luck loss as Charleston was defeated by the Augusta GreenJackets in their series opener, 2-1, following a near half-hour rain delay in front of 3,452 at Joe Riley Park on Monday night.
The Dogs got a quality outing from the 18-year-old, who went six innings and allowed just one run on a solo homer by third baseman Shane Matheny in the third. Contreras struck out four and did not walk a batter in his Class-A debut two days after being called up from Short Season Staten Island, where he owned a 1.26 ERA in five starts to start the season. The Dominican Republic native became the youngest hurler to pitch for the Dogs since future Major Leaguer Manny Bañuelos in 2009.
Charleston (47-50, 14-15) took a two-run deficit into the 29-minute interruption during the top of the eighth. The RiverDogs pushed across an eighth inning tally but couldn't capitalize in the ninth after getting the tying and winning runs aboard with nobody out.

After Augusta (50-49, 13-18) extended their lead to 2-0 in the top of the eighth, the Holy City responded with their only offense of the night when shortstop Wilkerman Garcia drove home catcher Eduardo Navas with a two-out, bloop RBI single off fireballer Camilo Doval, who picked up his sixth save despite allowing the inherited runner to score.
Braden Bristo kept the RiverDogs within striking distance with 1 1/3 scoreless innings following the delay, but after first baseman Chris Hess and designated hitter Jason Lopez reached to start the ninth, pinch-runner Ricky Surum was picked off second base by catcher Jeffry Parra to kill the late rally.
With the defeat, the RiverDogs have dropped 11 of their last 13 contests. The Dogs have been outscored 67-33 while hitting just .217 over that span.
Monday's loss marked Charleston's 43rd one-run game of the season, the most in the South Atlantic League and contests in which they have gone 19-24.
Ballpark Fun
It was a Monday Dog Day down at The Joe presented by 98 Rock. Fans and their furry friends took in the series opener while human owners enjoyed dollar beers and hot dogs.
Upcoming
Game two is at 7:05 on a Live and Local Tuesday as Dean Stephens from ABC News 4 takes over as the guest PA along with a local popup restaurant from Braised in the South co-owner Brandon Lapp. RiverDogs southpaw Reiver Sanmartin (0-3, 4.30) matches up with Augusta right-hander Garrett Cave (5-5, 4.87). Tuesday's contest can be tuned into on "The Big Talker" 1250 WTMA with audio streaming live at riverdogs.com and the RiverDogs' TuneIn radio station.
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--