Charleston Falls In Extras In Road Finale
GREENVILLE, SC - Mario Martinez hit a broken bat, walk-off RBI single into left field with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning to send the Greenville Drive to a 2-1 extra innings win over the Charleston RiverDogs at Fluor Field at The West End on Wednesday night.
With the loss, the RiverDogs fall to 34-32 in the second half and 73-61 overall. Charleston finishes the season an even 35-35 on the road. The Drive improve to 27-36 in second half play and 49-83 overall with the win.
It was an old fashioned pitcher's duel for the first seven innings of the game with neither team scoring a run until the eighth.
In the top of the eighth, Jake Cave led off with his sixth triple of the year and promptly scored on Jose Rosario's RBI single to give the RiverDogs a 1-0 lead. However, the lead would not last.
In the bottom of the ninth the Drive tied the game thanks to a two singles and an error to force extra innings.
That's when Martinez came through with the walk-off single to win it in the 11th.
Rookie Davis made his Charleston debut, and the righty was impressive. In five shutout innings he didn't walk a batter, gave up eight hits, and fanned six.
Sergio Gomez made the start for Greenville and was even better. Gomez allowed just two hits in six shutout innings, walked three, and collected three strikeouts.
The bullpens were phenomenal for both squads as well. Derek Varnadore threw five innings in relief for Charleston and gave up just one run on three hits with four strikeouts. John Brebbia got tagged with the loss for the Dogs following the walk-off single in the 11th. He recorded two outs, gave up a hit, and walked a man. Brebbia falls to 0-2 on the year.
Raynell Velette went two innings in relief for the Drive and surrendered the only run Charleston scored in the game. He allowed four hits and struck out three. The most effective pitcher in the pitching dominated game was Kyle Martin who spun three hitless, scoreless innings with one walk and four strikeouts. Martin earned the victory to improve to 2-1.
Danny Oh had a fantastic game offensively for the RiverDogs with a 3-3, double, walk performance. Greg Bird went 0-3, but walked twice, once intentionally.
COMING UP: Thursday is the final off day of the season for the RiverDogs. The team will open their final homestand of the year at The Joe on Friday night with the first of four games against the Rome Braves. Charleston will start RHP Brett Gerritse (8-7, 3.60 ERA) for the last time this season, and Rome will counter with RHP Mauricio Cabrera (3-8, 41.8 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 on Friday night.
It will be the final Red Shirt Friday of the year as fans who wear red to the box office can save $1 off their ticket OR donate that dollar to local charity Canines for Veterans. "Titus the Wonder Dog" will be on hand to show off his batboy skills and multiple tricks during the game. As part of the last Red Shirt Friday there will be a silent auction during the game to win the unique red, white and blue digi-camo jerseys off the backs of the RiverDogs players. Fans of Dante Bichette, Jr., Greg Bird and Cito Culver can bid online at www.RiverDogs.com until Saturday. After the contest, we will again light up the sky over the scenic Ashley River with another Piggly Wiggly Postgame Fireworks show. It's also a Miller/Coors Aluminum Pint Nite as folks 21 and older can enjoy $2 specials on aluminum pints. Fans can purchase tickets at www.riverdogs.com, over the phone at 843/723-7241, or in-person at the Riley Park Box Office. Fans may also listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.
Box Score: http://atmilb.com/185R8uY
--RIVERDOGS--