RiverDogs drop second straight

SAVANNAH — A two-run double by Aderlin Rodriguez in the first inning got the Savannah Sand Gnats started on their way to a 6-3 win over the Charleston RiverDogs in South Atlantic League action on Wednesday night.

With the loss and a win by the Asheville Tourists, the RiverDogs (30-15) dropped into a tie for first place atop the Southern Division. Savannah is now 28-17.

Charleston scored twice in the top of the first as Mason Williams walked and Cito Culver singled to start the inning. After Gary Sanchez was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Ben Gamel lined a two-out single into right to score two runs.

The lead was short-lived as Savannah loaded the bases with no out in the bottom of the first inning.

The Sand Gnats got an unearned run in the second when Luis Nieves reached on an error, stole second and scored on a Gilbert Gomez single.

In the fourth, they added two more when three consecutive singles to start the inning loaded the bases again with nobody out. One run scored on a double play and Gomez then singled to pick up his second RBI of the game.

The RiverDogs got their final run in the fifth inning when a Tyler Austin single scored Francisco Arcia, but Savannah starter Domingo Tapia (4-2) held them right there.

Tapia threw six solid innings and struck out six on the way his fourth victory of the year. He was also aided by some clutch defense, as his fielders turned three double plays behind him.

Coming up
The RiverDogs return to Riley Park today to start a four-game series with Greenville at 7 p.m. Right-hander Will Oliver (1-2, 3.63 ERA) is scheduled to start for Charleston and RHP Madison Younginer (1-4, 5.06 ERA) is starting for Savannah.