Augusta Pitching Shuts Down RiverDogs' Offense
CHARLESTON, SC - Matt Lujan allowed just one run in seven innings of work as the Greenville Drive beat the Charleston RiverDogs by a score of 3-1 Saturday night in South Atlantic League play at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in front of 5,232 fans.
The RiverDogs are now 11-9 in the second half and 50-38 on the season. The GreenJackets move to 48-41 on the season and 10-10 in the second half. Charleston is in second place in the Southern Division for the second half of the season while Augusta moves to fourth.
Matt Lujan got the win to remain perfect on the year and improve to 3-0. He struck out three over his seven, one run innings before turning it over to the very good GreenJackets bullpen which shut the door on the Dogs late.
Augusta struck first with two runs in the top of the third inning. Rafael Rodriguez and Andrew Cain started the rally with consecutive singles. Later, Rodriguez scored on a fielder's choice and Cain was plated by a Mitchell Delfino single to left field.
The GreenJackets added one run to their lead in the fifth inning as Cain scored on a fielder's choice after reaching base with a walk.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Greg Bird's 10th home run of the season, a solo shot, got Charleston on the board and made the score 3-1. That was as close as the RiverDogs would get.
Augusta added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Charles Jones led off the frame with a double to left-center field and later scored on a Joseph Rapp single.
Tyler Mizenko shut the door on the RiverDogs with a 1-2-3 ninth inning as he earned his 20th save of the season.
Evan Rutckyj (7-6) was tagged with the hard luck loss for Charleston. In six innings of work, he surrendered two earned runs on just five hits, issued two walks, and also struck out two batters.
BALLPARK FUN: The first 1,000 fans through the gate received a Bill Murray T-Shirt presented by WTAT Fox 24. Prior to the game, more than 20 young men and women took the Army enlistment oath led by Captain Bonny Hutchinson.
COMING UP: The third game of this four-game series against the Augusta GreenJackets is Sunday night at 5:05 at Riley Park. RHP Vicente Campos (1-2, 3.75 ERA) will be on the mound for Charleston and Greenville will start with RHP Justin Schumer (3-6, 4.92 ERA). It is another Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission and Crews Subaru Kids Club Sunday as there will be FREE PARKING, members of the Kid's Club will get FREE entry to the game and kids will eat for FREE as well (kids 12 & under will receive a coupon for a hot dog, Pepsi and chips). Denny McLain, baseball's last 30 game winner, will be back at The Joe to sign autographs for the second time of the homestand. Tickets are available in person at the Riley Park Box Office, by calling 843/723-7241, or by visiting www.riverdogs.com. Fans can also listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.
--RIVERDOGS--