RiverDogs Score Early, Shorebirds Fly Back to Win Late 5-2
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston RiverDogs took a one-run lead into the top of the eighth, but the Delmarva Shorebirds rallied back to win 5-2 Thursday night in front of 4,910 raucous fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
Delmarva scored two runs in the first inning Wednesday, and the RiverDogs (9-18 second half, 43-54 overall) returned the favor in Thursday's game. With runners on first and second, Austin Aune hit an RBI single to right. Vince Conde scored from second and Isaias Tejeda scored as well when the catcher Yermin Mercedes dropped the throw home.
The Shorebirds (16-11, 49-46) cut the RiverDogs' lead in half in the top of the fifth. Ademar Rifaela hit a two-out single and T.J. Olesczuk raced to advance from first to third. The throw bounced away from the third baseman Ryan Lindemuth, and Olesczuk scored.
Charleston took their 2-1 lead into the top of the eighth, but Delmarva came back to score three in the frame. Steve Wilkerson led off with a walk, and then Cameron Kneeland followed with a single. The ball rolled under the right fielder Alexander Palma's glove, and Wilkerson scored the tying run.
Chance Adams (1-1) walked consecutive hitters to load the bases, and Dillon McNamara came in to replace him. Derek Peterson hit a sacrifice fly to give the Shorebirds a 3-2 lead, and Olesczuk laid down a sacrifice bunt to plate Mercedes and extend the lead to 4-2.
The RiverDogs had a chance to score in the eighth with two runners on and one out. Jorge Mateo lined out to right and Conde grounded out to end the threat. Delmarva added one more run of insurance in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by Kneeland.
Ivan Hernandez (2-0) pitched two innings of scoreless relief and earned the win for Delmarva. Garrett Cortright worked around an infield single by Tejeda to keep the R'Dogs off the board in the ninth and pick up his 10th save of the season.
BOX SCORE: http://atmilb.com/1OpfVz5
GAME HIGHLIGHTS: https://youtu.be/57SmfoyUsXQ
BALLPARK FUN: It was Thirsty Thursday and National Recycling Night at The Joe. Phil D. Bin, a recycling bin mascot, roamed around the crowd and entertained fans throughout the game. Kids were on the concourse handing out recycling bags to members of the crowd to promote recycling. There was also a recycling toss on the field. Two fans named Fred and Barney did the ribbon dancing.
COMING UP: The RiverDogs wrap up their three-game series against Delmarva Friday at 7:05 p.m. Charleston will send LHP Justin Kamplain (3-11, 4.74 ERA) to the mound against RHP Matthew Grimes (7-6, 4.07 ERA) for the Shorebirds. You can watch the game live on MeTV and MiLB.tv or listen to all the action on "The Big Talker" 1250 WTMA, WTMA.com, and RiverDogs.com.
Join us as we celebrate 40 years of service of our mayor and facility's namesake, the Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Jr. The first 1,000 fans will receive a commemorative Joe Riley figurine, courtesy of BenefitFocus. Friday is the eighth ISHPI Red Shirt Friday of the season and is presented by WEZL, with postgame fireworks over the scenic Ashley River presented by Home Telecom. Support the military by wearing red and when you come to the box office, you can receive $1 off your ticket. Fans will then have the option to donate that dollar to the Wounded Warrior Corps. The RiverDogs will once again wear their special red jerseys as a show of support for our military.
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