CHARLESTON, SC: Catcher Nick Montgomery clubbed his second homer in as many games played, part of a three-run 4th inning for the GreenJackets to carry them over the RiverDogs by a 5-1 final.
It was the RiverDogs that took the first lead of the night, using their lone extra base hit of the game to steal an early advantage against David Rodriguez in his first start of the year.
Nathan Flewelling began the bottom of the 2nd with a triple, and trotted home one batter later on a deep sacrifice fly from Angel Mateo. Rodriguez would total three innings, with Flewelling his only run as he retired his final five hitters faced.
It was not until the top of the 4th that Augusta would solve Jayden Voelker, who allowed just one hit and one walk in his first three frames.
With one out, Colby Jones worked a walk, then took 2nd before the next pitch was thrown as Voelker committed a balk. Mason Guerra used that advancement to his advantage, smacking an RBI single to right to tie the game.
He would be followed by Montgomery, who worked the count foul before sending a soaring drive down the left field line, hooking it inside the foul pole for his 5th homer of the year and a 3-1 lead.
With a lead intact, Augusta summoned reliever Reibyn Corona, and Corona promptly retired the side in both the 4th and 5th. The ‘Jackets attempted to squeeze another inning out of the righty, but Charleston began to create trouble immediately.
Jose Perez walked to start the frame, but was knocked off the bases as a grounder from Theo Gillen hit Perez as he ran to 2nd. Corona walked Brailer Guerrero, ending his night by allowing the tying run aboard.
Wynston Sawyer trusted Albert Rivas with the dangerous situation, and Rivas was up to the task, inducing a soft liner from Connor Hujsak before striking out Nathan Flewelling to negate the threat.
The inning highlighted a tough night at the dish for Charleston, who were hitless with men in scoring position and are currently bottom in pro baseball in that category.
Augusta seized its momentum from the strikeout to tack on a pair of key insurance runs in the 7th against Engert Garcia. A walk and fielder’s choice but Douglas Glod at first, and he took 3rd on a single from Colin Burgess, who himself advanced to scoring position on an errant throw.
Luis Sanchez rolled a grounder slowly up the middle, but shortstop Ricardo Gonzalez ran into the umpire, which scored the run. Owen Carey’s RBI single made it a 4-run advantage, which would be good enough for the rest of the night.
Albert Rivas would follow up his 6th-inning escape act by delivering a scoreless 7th and 8th, and Justin Long worked a 1-2-3 9th in a non-save situation to ensure a series-opening victory for Augusta. Corona took his 3rd win of the year, while Voelker recorded his 6thloss of the campaign.
The two teams will square off five more times this week, with Luis Arestigueta matching up with Rays’ Top 30 prospect Trevor Harrison in Wednesday’s contest, on June 11, at 7:05 p.m.
