Bird Blasts RiverDogs Past Power in Extras
CHARLESTON, SC - Greg Bird went 3-5 including a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the 11th inning to send the Charleston RiverDogs to a 3-2 victory over the West Virginia Power on Tuesday night in front of 2,538 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in South Atlantic League action.
With the win, the RiverDogs are back to .500 at 29-29 in the second half and 68-58 overall. West Virginia falls to 35-22 in the second half and 72-55 overall with the loss. The victory also snaps Charleston's three game losing streak.
Greg Bird continued his amazing season by collecting his team leading 19th homer of the year plus his first walk-off hit. Bird has his average up to .289 now on the season and also leads the team with 78 RBI.
It was a pitcher's duel early with neither team advancing a runner past second base until Bird's solo homer in the bottom of the fourth.
West Virginia tied it in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Francisco Diaz that plated Luis Urena.
After singling to start the bottom of the fifth, Angelo Gumbs stole second, then stole third, and scored on a throwing error to put the RiverDogs back up 2-1.
Urena and F. Diaz were at it again though in the seventh inning with a triple and a double to tie the game at 2-2.
The RiverDogs loaded the bases in the ninth but couldn't push across any runs which forced extra innings.
The Power never got a base runner in extra innings, and following a walk to Jose Rosario to begin the bottom of the eleventh Bird won it with a double into the left field corner for Charleston to give them the 3-2 walk-off win.
Vicente Campos worked two perfect innings of relief for Charleston and fanned three to earn the win and improve to 3-2.
Jhondaniel Medina got tagged with the loss for the Power after allowing one run on one hit and two walks in 1.1 innings with three strikeouts. His record is now even at 2-2.
COMING UP: Game two of this three game series will see Charleston send out LHP Daniel Camarena (4-6, 4.49 ERA) for the RiverDogs and RHP John Creasy (4-4, 2.96 ERA) starting for the Power. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm on Wednesday. It's another Senior Wednesday presented by AAA Carolinas. All seniors who enter the gates will get a free hot dog, soda and bag of chips (must 65 and older). Show your AAA card at the box office to buy one ticket and get one ticket free. It is also Dogs With a Cause night presented by Charleston 9/11 Heroes Run. Military Appreciation Night presented by General Dynamics gives active and retired military members FREE entrance for themselves and family members by showing Military ID at the box office! Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.
Box Score: http://atmilb.com/181WW7w
--RIVERDOGS--