Gasper logs two RBI to extend Charleston to longest winning streak this season
By: Riverdogs Media
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – First baseman Mickey Gasper drove in the go-ahead run as part of a three-run sixth and the Charleston bats backed a strong outing by starter Jio Orozco as the RiverDogs rolled to their third straight win, a 5-1 final over Kannapolis on Wednesday afternoon from Intimidators Stadium.
Gasper went 2-for-4, driving in a pair of runs on the day, including a game-tying single that put Charleston on the board in the fourth after Canaan Smith smashed a double into left with two men out. The decisive sixth inning saw the Dogs (13-13) take advantage of a two-out error to score three times. After Gasper doubled to give Charleston their first lead, Isaiah Pasteur legged out an infield single before a wild pitch from Johan Dominguez (0-2) brought home the first insurance tally. After catcher Eduardo Navas took a four-pitch walk, shortstop Eduardo Torrealba added another with a sharp single back up the box, making it 4-1 Charleston.
Orozco (2-2) continued make a strong case for sticking in the rotation for good. The Arizona prep product turned in his third straight quality start since entering the RiverDogs' six-man rotation, going 7.0 strong to match Charleston's season-high from a starter, yielding just a run on six hits and needing only two strikeouts across an efficient fifth outing of the season.
The RiverDogs put the game out of reach even further for Kannapolis (10-14) in the top of the ninth, making it a four-run game on Kyle Gray's RBI single. Center fielder Brandon Lockridge laid down a bunt single and promptly swiped second before easily scoring on the second baseman's first hit of the game. Carlos Espinal blanked the Intimidators over the final two innings, including striking out the side in the ninth.
After being swept by the White Sox affiliate just last week at The Joe, the RiverDogs now have a chance to return the favor heading into Thursday's series finale. The three straight victories mark Charleston's longest winning streak of the season.
Charleston's dominant staff needed only five strikeouts, a season-low for the normally swing-and-miss heavy group, to hold Kannapolis to a single tally. The RiverDogs staff entered play leading the South Atlantic League circuit with 265 strikeouts and had racked up double-digit K's in 15 of their previous 18 contests.
Upcoming
The RiverDogs finish up the three-game swing in Kannapolis as they go for the sweep Thursday night. Right-hander Daniel Bies (1-1, 5.71) will make his second start of the season after fanning a career-high eight in his last start, when he gave up just a pair of unearned tallies over 5 2/3 against Columbia last Thursday. Righty Kade MClure (1-0, 4.34) will pitch in opposition for the White Sox affiliate. Fans can catch the game on WTMA 1250 AM in the tri-county area as well as online streaming on the TuneIn Radio app.
Fans can “Make Fun” with the RiverDogs all season long down at The Joe. Single-game tickets, including options to the Riley Park Club, are available at riverdogs.com/tickets or by contacting the RiverDogs front office at 843-577-3647 (DOGS). A full schedule and list of game times for the 2019 season is available at riverdogs.com.
