Legends Outlast RiverDogs in Series Opener
CHARLESTON, SC - In the opener of a scheduled doubleheader that went into extra innings, the Lexington Legends defeated the Charleston RiverDogs 7-5 in nine innings on Wednesday in front of 2,940 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in South Atlantic League. Due to the length of the contest, which included by a rain delay before the ninth inning, the second game will be pushed into a doubleheader on Thursday that will start at 6:05pm.
The RiverDogs are 10-15 in the second half and 43-52 overall. The Legends now have records of 11-15 and 40-56, respectively. Since only one game was played, tickets for Wednesday may be exchanged at the Riley Park Box Office to any remaining RiverDogs home game in 2014.Thursday's doubleheader will consist of two seven-inning games.
Lexington rattled off a four-run rally in the second inning of the series opener. Chad Johnson's two-out double extended the inning while Dex Kjerstad and Fred Ford followed with walks. Alexis Rivera delivered a three-run triple to clear the bases and put Lexington ahead. Rivera scored on a Kenny Diekroeger single that gave Lexington a 4-0 lead.
Charleston tied the contest at 4-4 in the bottom of the third. Eduardo de Oleo slugged a leadoff home run, his team-leading 11th blast of the season. Following back-to-back groundouts, Mark Payton drew a walk and Tyler Wade singled ahead of Dustin Fowler. Payton and Wade scored on a double from Fowler. Mike Ford legged out a single, allowing Fowler to score the tying run.
In the top of the fifth, the Legends reclaimed the lead at 5-4. Frank Schwindel and Mauricio Ramos collected back-to-back one out singles. Schwindel was in scoring position and came in when Johnson blooped a single into center field that brought in the go-ahead run.
The RiverDogs nearly won the contest in the bottom of the seventh. A walk, an error, and a bunt single loaded the bases for Wade. A single allowed Gosuke Katoh to score and even the contest at 5-5, but Jackson Valera was thrown out at home plate at the end of the play. After a pop out and an intentional walk, Miguel Andujar hit an inning-ending fly out to send the game to extras.
After a scoreless eighth inning and a rain delay that lasted for more than an hour, Lexington scored two runs in the ninth for a 7-5 advantage. With one out and the bases loaded, Ramos recorded the go-ahead single, scoring Rivera and Diekroeger on the play. The RiverDogs were retired in order during the bottom of the ninth to end the evening.
Andrew Edwards improved to 3-4 with the victory for Lexington. Chad Taylor was charged with the loss and is 0-1 with Charleston. Tim Hill earned his second save after a perfect ninth inning.
BALLPARK FUN: The RiverDogs continued HOPE Week 2014 with South Carolina Youth Advocate Program. Therapeutic foster parents Carolyn and Martin Meier, the children in their care, and their social worker joined the RiverDogs for a Dolphin Adventure boat tour. Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, who is a Special Advisor for the New York Yankees, watched his first RiverDogs game in Charleston this season.
COMING UP: A Thursday doubleheader is scheduled for 6:05pm at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. Budweiser Thirsty Thursday, courtesy of 95SX, features $1 drafts and DJ Natty Heavy in the Ashley View Pub. HOPE Week 2014 continues earlier in the day with Lowcountry Food Bank's Food Works Program while a postgame concert, sponsored by Palmetto Brewery and Awendaw Green, will be performed by Cheap Hats and Bourbon. Tickets may be purchased at the Riley Park Box Office, (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or on-line at www.riverdogs.com. If fans cannot make it to the ballpark, they are encouraged to tune in to all the action this year both home and away worldwide on www.riverdogs.com and locally on 1250 WTMA, the new radio home for RiverDogs baseball.
Box Score: http://atmilb.com/1kxtWLO
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