Story Published:
Aug 6, 2009 at 11:43 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Aug 6, 2009 at 11:47 PM EDT
The Augusta GreenJackets dropped a 4-3 decision to the Charleston RiverDogs in a game that was close throughout on Thursday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium, Augusta's first loss of the series.
Andrew Reichard had retired the first five hitters he faced before allowing a game-tying solo home run in the second inning to Garrison Lassiter, his first of the season. In the fourth, Charleston took the lead on Corban Joseph's RBI single that scored Abraham Almonte who tripled to open the inning. The RiverDogs added to the lead twice in the seventh on run scoring hits from Ray Kruml and Addison Maruszak to grow their lead to 4-1.
In the home half of the seventh, the GreenJackets answered to make things close against tiring Charleston starter Trent Lare. With runners on second and third, Matt Klimas' sacrifice fly brought a run for the Jackets, who came to within one on the ensuing Vladimir Frias bloop double to right-center. With Frias at second, Charlie Culberson bounced out to end the seventh and the deficit remained at one.
Eric Stolp's solid 2.2 innings of one-hit shutout baseball kept the Dogs off the board and gave the Jackets a shot to answer late, but Charleston closer Jonathan Ortiz slammed the door shut over the final two innings. Ortiz retired all six hitters he faced, striking out two, to earn his eighth save of the season in as many tries.
Reichard (2-3) pitched well in his second start off the disabled list, allowing two runs on three hits without a walk while striking out three. His three 1-2-3 innings were the key to his longevity in a start limited by a tight pitch count as a result of his return from injury.
Lare (1-2) scattered eight hits and three runs through seven innings in his first South Atlantic League win of the season. The control specialist fanned four and didn't walk a single hitter.
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