River Dogs Shed Gnats

Aderlin Rodriguezhomered again, his fourth in his last seven games, but the Charleston RiverDogsoutlasted the Savannah Sand Gnats 8-4 in 13 innings on a steamy Sundayafternoon at Historic Grayson Stadium. The RiverDogs (11-7/50-35) took three offive games from the Gnats (6-12/47-38).

Charleston broke a 4-4 tie with four runs in the top of the 13thinning off Savannah reliever Jared West.The Dogs began the inning with three straight singles culminating in a RBIknock from C Tyson Blaser that putCharleston up 5-4. Blaser finished 4-for-6 with two RBI.  After a Rodriguez throwing error, 1B Casey Stevenson doubled down theleftfield line driving home two to put the ‘Dogs up 8-4.

Down 4-0 after two innings, the Gnats steadily ate away at theDogs’ lead until Rodriguez tied the game with a two run homerun in the eighth.In the fifth, RF Charley Thurbersingled home DH Dustin Lawley. Inthe seventh, Thurber’s RBI groundout brought home 1B Brian Harrison. Down 4-2 in the eighth, 2B Yucarybert De La Cruz walked. Then, with two outs, Rodriguezblasted a home run over a 16’ wall in left-centerfield.

With his homerun, Rodriguez, his 16th of the year,extended his hitting streak to nine straight games.

The RiverDogs raced out to a 4-0 lead after two innings against Domingo Tapia. However, Tapia found hisrhythm in the second, and retired the final 13 batters he faced and 16 of hislast 17 to finish seven innings.

The Gnats are off on Monday, but begin an eight-game roadtrip inDelmarva, MD on Tuesday against the Delmarva Shorebirds. Follow all of theaction live on News/Talk 630 and online at sandgnats.com on the Gnats radiobroadcasts presented by Subway.

Savannah returns to Historic Grayson Stadium on Thursday, July 19against the Rome Braves. Budweiser presents Thirsty Thursday when all smallbeers and sodas will be half-price. Atlantic Foot and Ankle Specialistspresents Ladies Night with ticket and drink specials. For more information,please visit sandgnats.com.