RiverDogs fail to capitalize, fall in 10

Sand Gnats 7, RiverDogs 6, 10 innings

Jordan Abruzzo's two-run home run in the 10th inning bounced off the top of the batter's eye in center field and snatched away another opportunity for the Charleston RiverDogs to put their fate in their own hands.

The Savannah Sand Gnats won for the second straight night in front of 4,618 fans at Riley Park, gaining a 7-6 victory over Charleston on Saturday.

While the game was in the ninth, it was announced that South Atlantic League Southern Division leader Asheville had already lost to Hickory, meaning Charleston (44-25) needed a win to pull even with the Tourists with one game to play. It's the second straight night that the RiverDogs got some help in the standings but couldn't capitalize on it.

"That's the frustrating part, knowing how poorly Asheville is playing and we just can't seal the deal," Charleston manager Torre Tyson said. "It's just kind of a broken record where we have the lead and make some errors and make some bad pitches to compound the errors."

With runners at first and second and two out, Dave Williams grounded up the middle. Shortstop Matt Bouchard fielded the ball cleanly and attempted to get the force out at second, but Austin Krum got an excellent jump on the play and beat the throw. Abraham Almonte, running from second, tried to catch the defense by surprise and rounded third on his way to home, but an alert Greg Veloz easily gunned him down at the plate and ended the inning.

Savannah (33-36) came back with a single and Abruzzo's two-run homer in the top of the 10th against reliever Jonathan Ortiz (1-2) to take a 7-5 lead.

Bradley Suttle hit a solo homer to right field to cut the margin to 7-6, but Jose Bierd (2-0) struck out Jesus Montero to end the game.

"It'll be interesting (today) because I think we play an hour earlier than (Asheville) does," Tyson said. "We don't have the luxury of scoreboard watching. We just have to win."

Charleston had a 4-1 lead after four innings. Justin Snyder, who was 3-for-6, drove in runs in the second and fourth innings.

Brandon Laird was 2-for-5 with a seventh-inning homer that tied the game at 5.

Ballpark fun

The RiverDogs had their annual Kindness Beats Blindness silent auction during the game. A large tent full of items were up for bid at the front of the stadium. The event benefited the MUSC Storm Eye Institute and their research to fight blindness.

Coming up

The RiverDogs and Sand Gnats finish the first half of the season with a 4:05 p.m. start today. The scheduled starters are Charleston right-hander Adam Olbrychowski (4-2, 3.19 ERA) and Savannah righty Nick Carr (1-0, 1.29).

It's a Father's Day promotion during a RiverDogs family Sunday. After the game, kids can run the bases and players will be available for autographs.

Reach Bill Henley at 937-5595 or bhenley@postandcourier.com.