Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Braves Blank RiverDogs for Back-to-Back Shutouts, Win 4-0

August 19, 2010
CHARLESTON, SC -- The Rome pitching staff tossed its second shutout in as many nights, as the Braves whitewashed the Charleston RiverDogs, 4-0, in front of 4,884 fans and service men and women in South Atlantic League action at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park for Military Appreciation Night on Thursday night.

With the victory, Rome wins consecutive games in improving to 23-30, 53-59. With the loss, Charleston falls to 27-26, 58-64 overall.

After being on the losing end of Charleston's second shutout in as many nights on Tuesday evening, the Braves pitching staff has tossed back-to-back shutouts for the first time since May 7-8 of 2009.

Charleston is blanked in consecutive games for the first time since July 1-2 of 2008. The RiverDogs offense has mustered just five hits in their past two games combined, the team's lowest hit total over any two games stretch this year.

Rome centerfielder Kyle Rose walked to open the game. Rose went on to steal second and third before moving home on a throwing error to give Rome a 1-0 lead.

After Christian Bethancourt popped out to open the second frame, Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg and Edward Salcedo ripped back-to-back singles, and Osman Marval walked to load the bases for Matt Weaver. Weaver's groundout allowed Spanjer-Furstenburg to cross home plate, boosting the Braves lead to 2-0.

That was more than enough for Rome starter Ryan Weber (2-4), who notched his second win in his last three starts, penning 7.0 innings of scoreless ball, giving up just three hits while ringing up five batters.  Dalton Acord pitched the last 2.0 innings to record his second save, as the last nine Charleston batters were retired.

Rose added some cushion to the Rome lead with his single through the hole at short in the top of the ninth with the bases loaded that plated Salcedo and Marval, pushing the Rome lead to 4-0 in the final frame.

Jose Quintana (0-1) takes the loss for Charleston. The Arjona, Colombia native gave up three hits and two runs, one earned, with two strikeouts, in a total of 3.2 innings of work in his RiverDogs debut.

The RiverDogs have not scored in the last 19 innings and have failed to put a runner in scoring position in consecutive games.

Game four of the series is set for Friday at 7:05 p.m., with Charleston sending right-hander Brett Marshall (2-2, 3.23) to the mound to face off  against Rome left-hander Chris Master (3-7, 4.22).

-RIVERDOGS-

BALLPARK FUN: It was the team's second Military Appreciation Night of the year, presented by Force Protection, and the brave men and women of our armed forces came out in full tonight. The game started with a rousing national anthem as service men and women took the field with the RiverDogs starters. Soldiers also tossed out ceremonial first pitches and there was even a fly over prior to the game! Firefly Vodka even got in on the action as the Firefly Home TEAm Girl Taylor Graves was on hand for Thursday night's game. Fans also got their weekends off to an early start with another Budweiser Thirsty Thursday, as they enjoyed $1 beers in the Ashley View Pub.

UP NEXT: It's another fun-filled Force Protection Red Shirt Friday at Riley Park! Fans get $1 off tickets at the RiverDogs Box Office when they wear a red shirt to the ballpark, they can even be a fan of the men and women of our armed forces by donating that dollar to families with soldiers fighting overseas. It's also the club's final Fritos Family Friday, with six lucky fans getting to take their "Be Your Own Fan!" experience beyond the bleachers as they take part in a number of activities around The Joe. Representatives from Ed Randall's Bat for the Cure will also be on hand to raise awareness for prostate cancer. Show us what you've got as you get the chance to record yourself singing or performing in the concourse thanks to Carolina Studios! Also, Mark Bryan, the lead guitarist from South Carolina's own Hootie and the Blowfish, will be at the ballpark. The fireworks don't stop after the ninth inning as Piggly Wiggly brings you post game fireworks!