RiverDogs Blanked by Braves in Finale

Park goes 2-for-4 from leadoff spot but Charleston’s league leading offense is held scoreless for the first time

 

ROME, GA– Charleston’s league-leading offense collected seven hits, led by shortstop Hoy Jun Park’s pair of leadoff singles, but were held scoreless for the first time all season as the Rome Braves blanked the RiverDogs, 8-0, to force a series split on an Easter Sunday afternoon at State Mutual Stadium.

 

The RiverDogs (7-4) entered play leading the league in runs scored (65) and hitting (.289), but stranded five baserunners in the first four innings, allowing Rome to take an early lead.

 

The Braves (8-3) collected back-to-back singles to lead off the third before taking a 1-0 advantage. After knocks by former Gamecock Marcus Mooney and second baseman Kevin Josephina, left fielder Anfernee Seymour reached on a fielder’s choice groundout to drive in the first run of the ballgame.

 

Rome put up a big crooked number in the fourth, capitalizing on three Charleston errors to stretch their lead to 7-0. Juan Yepez doubled to lead off the frame and Randy Ventura walked to put early activity on behind RiverDogs starter Nick Nelson (L, 0-1). On a pickoff attempt, catcher Eduardo Nava’s throw sailed into center field, allowing both runners to move up. After Kurt Hoekstra struck out, Brett Cumberland knocked in a run on an infield single but Park’s hurried throw after a diving effort sailed away to allow the second run to score. Mooney doubled in another before Josephina walked to put two runners on. Anfernee Seymour followed and hit a double play ball to Brandon Wagner at first who threw it away into the outfield scoring the fourth run of the inning and chasing Nelson from the ballgame. Cristian Pache drove in two on  a single to left to make it a 7-0 Braves advantage.

 

Nelson finished allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts to take the loss.

Rome added their eight run in the fifth on a pair of wild pitches by Adonis Rosa. Garrett Mundell tossed two scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts.

It was the third time that the RiverDogs were handed a loss of five runs or more this season.

 

Upcoming

The RiverDogs continue the road trip in Georgia as they take on the GreenJackets in a three-game series at Lake Olmstead Stadium from April 17-19. Charleston will send RHP Nick Green (0-2, 9.95) in game one to face RHP Stephen Woods, Jr. (1-0, 1.50). The first pitch is set for 7:05pm on Monday night.

 

RiverDogs tickets, including options for the all-new Riley Park Club, are now available and can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com. Those that can’t make it to the park can follow every pitch of the RiverDogs season on WTMA 1250 AM in the tri-county area or by streaming online at riverdogs.com and the TuneIn Radio App by searching “RiverDogs.”