Charleston 3, Savannah 2

The Charleston RiverDogs defeated the Sand Gnats, 3-2, in the ninth inning in front of 5,011 fans at Riley Park on two throwing errors by the Savannah defense that allowed the game-winning run to score from second base. The Gnats had just tied the game in the top of the ninth on Jeff Flagg’s first hit as a Sand Gnat.

With the game tied at two, Mike Lynn (0-1) began his second inning of work by allowing a leadoff single through the middle by Addison Maruszak. With Maruszak on first, Garrison Lassiter put down a sacrifice bunt that came right back to Lynn who subsequently threw to second.

Maruszak appeared to be out on the play but was ruled safe which brought Edgar Alfonzo out of the dugout. Alfonzo was subsequently ejected from the game and play would continue with two on and no one out.

Luis Alen tried to pick off Maruszak from second on the very next pitch from Lynn to Neall French but his throw went into centerfield, allowing Maruszak to move to third. Savannah center fielder Raul Reyes came up firing towards third but ended up putting the throw in the Gnats dugout, which allowed Maruszak to score the game-winning run.

Starting pitcher Kyle Allen’s final start was overshadowed by the ninth-inning fireworks as the right hander allowed an unearned run over five innings of work with six strikeouts. He finishes the year, 9-6 with an ERA of 3.45, which is the lowest it has been all year.

Savannah once again scored first in the game as Wilmer Flores came around to score on a wild pitch from starter Alan Horne. The Gnats wouldn’t score again until Flagg singled with two outs to drive in Juan Lagares in the top of the ninth.

Charleston tied the game at one in the sixth when Jimmy Johnson walked Lassiter to walk-in the tying run in Jose Pierla, who walked to start the inning.

Nick Giarraputo went 2-for-3 for the Sand Gnats (29-35, 64-70) and has now hit in 15 of 17 games since joining the Sand Gnats.

After a tough loss on Friday, the Gnats will be right back at it on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Charleston sends RHP Dan Kapala (6-2, 2.82) to the hill while the Sand Gnats have yet to announce a starter.