Bullpen can't nail down Zink's outstanding start

Charleston pitcher Ryan Zink's transition from reliever to starter took a quantum leap forward Tuesday night, even though the RiverDogs failed to close the deal.

Zink, making his 24th appearance of the season but only his third start, turned in six shutout innings in the RiverDogs' 4-2 South Atlantic League loss to the Savannah Sand Gnats in front of a crowd of 3,102 at Riley Park.

"Zink has really showed me something here the last few times we put him in the rotation," said Charleston manager Torre Tyson. "He has come on to be one of our quality starters."

Zink, whose longest stint of the season prior to Tuesday night was four innings, allowed two hits, with one walk and five strikeouts and got stronger as the night when on. He retired the last 10 batters he faced.

Tyson had Zink on a 75-pitch count, but never figured Zink's efficiency would carry him through six innings.

"I thought there was no chance whatsoever," Tyson said. "But next time out, I'm looking to send him out there and hopefully get seven or eight quality innings."

Zink exited with a 1-0 lead, but the RiverDogs' usually dependable bullpen couldn't hang on.

Richard Pena had a two-out, two-run double in the eighth for the Sand Gnats, who also got a two-run double from Carlos Guzman in the ninth.

Craig Heyer (7-1) took the loss for the RiverDogs.

Charleston (76-57, 30-32 second half) and Savannah (59-72, 26-35 second half) will meet tonight at 7:05 at Riley Park in the final home game of the season for Charleston.

Lance Pendleton (7-8, 3.50 ERA) is expected to get the start for the RiverDogs, while Mark Cohoon (1-2, 5.09 ERA) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Sand Gnats.

For the second consecutive night, the Sand Gnats started a pitcher who had just been called up from Kingsport of the Appalachian League.

Mike Olmsted pitched five shutout innings in the Sand Gnats' 4-1 victory over the RiverDogs Monday night, allowing three hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

Savannah's Phillips Orta pitched three no-hit innings Tuesday night, but the second time through the order proved to be the charm for the RiverDogs.

Justin Snyder led off the fourth inning and broke up the no-hitter with a double to left, stole third, and scored when Jesus Montero reached on a throwing error by the shortstop.

Brandon Laird homered to lead off the ninth for the RiverDogs.

Notes

Montero was selected to the SAL postseason all-star team. Montero, an 18-year-old from Venezuela, entered Tuesday night's game hitting .319 with 17 homers and 83 RBIs.

Tonight's final home game of the season has been designated GEICO Fan Appreciation night.

Prizes will be given away every inning, including jerseys, team autographed baseballs, bats and cash.

The RiverDogs and GEICO will also select the MVP Fan of the Season, who will receive a Jet Ski, courtesy of Charleston Power Sports.

{ET