Sand Gnats Clip RiverDogs, 3-1

CHARLESTON, SC Savannah starter Robert Carson allowed one run through six innings and Jefry Marte collected three hits as the Sand Gnats clipped the Charleston RiverDogs, 3-1, in South Atlantic League action Thursday night in front of 4,894 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

With Charlestons defeat and Greenvilles game with Asheville cancelled due to rain, the RiverDogs are in a statistical dead heat with the Drive atop the Southern Division standings with three games remaining in the first half. Charleston falls to 38-29 on the season while the Savannah improves to 33-34.

Carson, in improving his record to 4-5, allowed an earned run on three hits while walking three and striking out four. Reliever Eric Beaulac threw the final three frames and fanned five as he captured his second save.

Savannah snatched a 2-0 advantage in the top of the sixth when Imberez Alvarez reached on a fielders choice and scored on Martes RBI gap double to left-center field. With Wilmer Flores batting, RiverDogs starter Manny Banuelos (5-3) uncorked a wild pitch and a throwing error by catcher Mitch Abeita resulted in Marte scoring from second base.

The RiverDogs cut the lead to make the score 2-1 in the sixth when Melky Mesa was hit by a pitch, Corban Joseph drew a walk, and Mesa scored on Abeitas RBI single to left.

The Sand Gnats captured a 3-1 lead in the seventh when Kai Gronauer doubled to left, advanced to third on a groundout and was driven home on a RBI single to right by Raul Reyes.

Banuelos four-game winning streak was snapped after pitching 6.0 full stanzas while the Sand Gnats posted two runs one earned on four hits and three strikeouts.

Savannah collected 10 hits on the night as Gronauer and Stefan Welch joined Marte with multiple hits while Charleston recorded six hits with Abeita posting a team-high two.

The RiverDogs will turn to right-hander Brett Marshall (3-4, 4.41 ERA) while the Sand Gnats counter with righty Kyle Allen (4-2, 4.10 ERA) in Game 2 of the four-game series that is set for Friday at 7:05 p.m.