Gnats 3, RiverDogs 1

Savannah starter Robert Carson allowed one run through six innings and Jefry Marte collected three hits as the Sand Gnats clipped the Charleston RiverDogs, 3-1, in South Atlantic League action Thursday night in front of 4,894 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

With Charleston’s defeat and Greenville’s game with Asheville cancelled due to rain, the RiverDogs are in a statistical dead heat with the Drive atop the Southern Division standings with three games remaining in the first half. Charleston falls to 38-29 on the season while the Savannah improves to 33-34.

Carson, in improving his record to 4-5, allowed an earned run on three hits while walking three and striking out four. Reliever Eric Beaulac threw the final three frames and fanned five as he captured his second save.

Savannah snatched a 2-0 advantage in the top of the sixth when Imberez Alvarez reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on Marte’s RBI gap double to left-center field. With Wilmer Flores batting, RiverDogs starter Manny Banuelos (5-3) uncorked a wild pitch and a throwing error by catcher Mitch Abeita resulted in Marte scoring from second base.

The RiverDogs cut the lead to make the score 2-1 in the sixth when Melky Mesa was hit by a pitch, Corban Joseph drew a walk, and Mesa scored on Abeita’s RBI single to left.

The Sand Gnats captured a 3-1 lead in the seventh when Kai Gronauer doubled to left, advanced to third on a groundout and was driven home on a RBI single to right by Raul Reyes.

Banuelos’ four-game winning streak was snapped after pitching 6.0 full stanzas while the Sand Gnats posted two runs – one earned – on four hits and three strikeouts.