RiverDogs top Augusta in rain-shortened game

AUGUSTA, GA — The Charleston RiverDogs took the opener of their four-game series against the Augusta GreenJackets, 2-1, in a game that ended early due to rain and lightning at Lake Olmstead Stadium on Friday night.

Following a thirty-seven minute delay, the umpires ended the game after 5½ innings of play because of the weather. Augusta (52-58, 20-12 second half) had the tying run on first with nobody out in the bottom of the sixth against Charleston (58-51, 19-23) when the game was called.

In the bottom of the first inning, Augusta singled three times, including a run-scoring hit by Devin Harris, to take an early 1-0 lead.

Saxon Butler made his Charleston debut and contributed right away with an RBI single that plated Rob Refsnyder to tie the game at 1 in the second inning.

Then in the top of the fourth inning, Refsnyder singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, stole third, then scored on a two-out RBI single by Dante Bichette Jr. to put the RiverDogs in front, 2-1.

Phil Wetherell (5-5) was sharp for Charleston, allowing only one run on five hits over five innings, his longest outing of the year. He struck out six en route to his first win as a starter.

Adalberto Mejia (7-7) got the loss for Augusta after allowing two runs on five hits in six innings.

Coming up
Game 2 of the series will see the GreenJackets send out right-hander Paul Davis (5-4, 3.40 ERA), while the RiverDogs will counter with right-hander Scottie Allen (3-7, 4.75 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.