Sand Gnats Silence RiverDogs, 5-0

CHARLESTON, SC Savannahs pitching duo of Robert Carson and Rhiner Cruz held Charleston scoreless as the Sand Gnats silenced the RiverDogs, 5-0, in South Atlantic League action Friday in front of 2,076 fans at Savannahs Historic Grayson Stadium.

With the victory, the Sand Gnats jump to 2-0 in the second half and a 37-35 overall record while the RiverDogs fall to 0-2 in the second half and 39-33 overall.

Savannah seized a 3-0 lead in the second when Josh Satin was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on Raul Reyes walk and Kai Gronauer slapped a single up the middle to load the bases. Stefan Welch grounded into a double play that plated Satin while Reyes dashed to third and Gronauer was eliminated at second. Evan LeBlanc singled to left that knocked home Reyes. Rafael Fernandez followed with a double to left that drove in LeBlanc for the innings third run.

The Sand Gnats added to their 5-0 lead in the eighth when Reyes drew a walk, moved to second on Gronauers single to right and LeBlanc smacked a two-run double to right that scored Reyes and Gronauer.

Carson (5-5) set the tone as he stymied the RiverDogs scoreless over 7.0 full stanzas and only allowed five hits and three walks while striking out three. Cruz (SV, 11) finished off the final two scoreless frames for his 11th save of the season as he held Charleston hitless and only issued three walks and three strikeouts.

RiverDogs starter Casey Erickson (3-3) suffered the defeat after he was charged with three earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out two in 5.1 innings of work.

Melky Mesa led the offensive charge for the RiverDogs accounting for three of Charlestons five hits while the Sand Gnats tallied 12 base knocks paced by Wilmer Flores three hits.

With first pitch set for Saturday at 7:00 p.m., the RiverDogs will send Sally League All-Star righty Hector Noesi (3-4, 2.44) to the mound while the Sand Gnats oppose with right-hander Kyle Allen (5-2, 3.99) in Game 3 of the five-game series at Historic Grayson Stadium.