Savannah 5 - Charleston 2

Gnats Steal First Place Away From Dogs


Savannah, GA –The Savannah Sand Gnats defeated the Charleston Riverdogs 5-2 in front of 2,010 fans at Historic Grayson Stadium to take first place away from the ‘Dogs. The Gnats (25-17) now lead Charleston (24-17) by one half game with 26 games to play in the first half.

Gabriel Ynoa was in nearly complete control over six innings to improve to 5-2 with a 3.55 ERA. Ynoa shut out the ‘Dogs over six innings, striking out seven and allowing just two hits and two walks. It was the fifth time in his last six starts that he finished the sixth inning.

The Gnats scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the fourth inning. With C Kevin Plaweckiat third and LF Stefan Sabol at second, 1B Cole Frenzel singled crisply up the middle. Plawecki scored from third, but Sabol was thrown out at home plate by Dogs’ CF Jake Cave to hold the Gnats’ lead to 1-0.

A throwing error by Charleston starter Cesar Vargas on a bunt play in the fifth gave the Gnats two runs and a 3-0 advantage.

In the sixth, 1B Cole Frenzel drove a ball over the rightfield wall for his third homerun and a 4-0 Savannah lead.

In the seventh, CF Eudy Pina tripled and came home on a wild pitch by reliever Adam Smith to put the Gnats up 5-0.

Charleston scored their only two runs in the ninth off Savannah reliever Paul Sewald. With a runner at first, the Gnats brought Bret Mitchell out of the bullpen to strike out the final two hitters of the game, one looking and one swinging for his eighth save of the year.

The Gnats will send LHP Steven Matz (2-1, 2.83) to the mound Tuesday against RHP Rafael De Paula (4-2, 2.75). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. Gates open at 6 pm.