Savannah 5, Charleston 2

After successfully knocking the RiverDogs out of the playoffs the Sand Gnats (35-35) climbed back to the .500 mark with a, 5-2, win over the ‘Dogs in front of 4,024 at The Joe Sunday evening. Starting pitcher Jeurys Familia (5-4) threw 6.2 innings for his fifth win while Rhiner Cruz struck out the final two batters in the ninth for his 10th save.

It was a good pitcher’s duel through the first five innings between Familia and RiverDogs starter David Phelps (7-2) but the Gnats finally broke through in the sixth. Wilmer Flores started the hit parade with two away by singling up the middle. Sean Ratliff followed with a single of his own while Josh Satin walked to load the bases for first baseman Stefan Welch.

Welch took the first pitch he saw and planted it into left-center field and cleared the bases. After 5.5 innings, the Gnats led, 3-0.

Familia would pitch the sixth but leave in the seventh after allowing a single to Neall French. The 19-year-old finished the game allowing just one run on five hits with two strikeouts. His five wins tie him for the team lead with fellow teenager Kyle Allen.

Savannah added insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings against the RiverDogs. Josh Stinson worked into the ninth but departed after allowing a run. Cruz struck out Mike Lyon, who served as the tying run, for the second out. Charleston then sent home-run leader Melky Mesa to the plate as a pinch hitter representing the tying run with two down and Cruz fanned him to end the game.