9/4/09

Charleston 8, Savannah 4




Abraham Almonte homered twice and extended his hitting streak to 25 games for the hometown Charleston RiverDogs as they doubled up the Sand Gnats, 8-4, in front of 4,003 on Thursday night at Riley Park. Nick Giarraputo went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in a losing effort for the Sand Gnats.
Savannah (29-34, 64-69) actually scored first in the game off 18-year-old RiverDogs starting pitcher Wilton Rodriguez (1-0). Giarraputo drove in the first of his two runs when he singled in Wilmer Flores in the first.
After the ‘Dogs tied it in the bottom half, Joey August delivered a two-out RBI in the second to help the Gnats re-claim the lead. Giarraputo’s first home run in a Gnats uniform helped make it 3-1 after 2.5 innings of play.
Gnats starter Eduardo Aldama (0-1) would unravel in the third, allowing four runs on three hits in the inning. Almonte homered to start the frame to pull the ‘Dogs within one. A single by Garrison Lassiter drove in a pair to give the RiverDogs the lead for good.
Charleston scored the next three runs of the game before Juan Lagares’ sacrifice fly in the sixth pulled Savannah within four.
Aldama allowed seven runs (all earned) on nine hits in three plus innings of work. John Church and Mike Lynn combined for three scoreless innings and allowed just one hit while striking out five. Lagares added two hits offensively for the Gnats.
In former Gnats news, Josh Thole recorded his first start and hit as a New York Met in their win over Colorado early Thursday. Thole went 2-for-5 in the game as the Mets won, 8-3. The Breese, Ill. native is just two seasons removed from playing in Savannah.
Kyle Allen (9-6, 3.59) will shoot for his 10th win of the year in his final start when he takes the hill on Friday night in Charleston. The RiverDogs will counter with RHP Alan Horne (0-1, 7.94). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.

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