RiverDogs Smack Sand Gnats, 9-2

CHARLESTON, SC Ray Kruml ratcheted three hits and drove in four RBI as the Charleston RiverDogs smacked the Savannah Sand Gnats, 9-2, in South Atlantic League action Sunday in front of 927 fans at Savannahs Historic Grayson Stadium.

With the victory, the RiverDogs jump to 2-2 in the second half and 41-33 overall while the Sand Gnats fall to 2-2 in the second half and 37-37 overall.

The Sand Gnats captured an initial 1-0 lead in the first when Rafael Fernandez doubled to center, advanced to third on a fielders choice and scored on Wilmer Flores sacrifice fly to right.

Savannah extended its advantage to 2-0 in the second when Jefry Marte smacked a leadoff single to right and dashed to third on a single by Stefan Welch. RiverDogs starter David Phelps (8-2) was charged with a throwing error after his pickoff attempt to first base sailed into foul territory allowing Marte to score.

The RiverDogs cut the lead in half with one swing of the bat as Corban Joseph slugged his second home run of the season, a solo shot to leadoff the third inning to make the score 2-1.

Charleston seized a 3-2 advantage in the fourth when Tommy Baldridge singled up the middle and advanced to second on Jose Pirelas single to right. Following a wild pitch that moved the runners into scoring position, Kruml cracked a two-run single to right that knocked home Baldridge and Pirela.

Highlighted by Melky Mesa and Krumls RBI triples, Charleston scored six times and attained a 9-2 lead in the sixth after the RiverDogs collected five hits and sent nine to the plate.

Phelps earned the win for the RiverDogs after he threw six full stanzas and allowed two earned runs on seven hits and three strikeouts. The relief duo of Brandon Braboy and Jonathan Ortiz silenced the Sand Gnats over the final three frames to secure the win.

Sand Gnats starter Elvin Ramirez (3-7) suffered the defeat after he was charged with three earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three in 3.1 innings pitched.

Charleston smashed 17 base knocks as the quartet of Pirela, Kruml, Joseph and Mesa each collected three hits apiece while four Savannah bats paced a 10 hit day as each collected a pair of base knocks.

In the series finale with first pitch set for Monday at 7:00 p.m. at Historic Grayson Stadium, the RiverDogs will turn to southpaw Manny Banuelos (5-3, 2.51) while the Sand Gnats counter with right-hander Jeurys Familia (5-4, 3.08).