(Story courtesy Augusta GreenJackets. File photo of Jhancarlos Lara by Mike Adams/Augusta Good News)
NORTH AUGUSTA – The Augusta GreenJackets capitalized on four errors to score five runs in the fourth inning, as the Charleston RiverDogs (32-19, 59-58) were left licking their self-inflicted wounds in a 5-4 ‘Jackets victory Thursday. The GreenJackets (23-27, 54-62) got a six-out save from Elison Joseph, who stranded the tying and go-ahead runs on base, as Augusta notched their second straight win over the league leaders.
Before the game, Augusta announced that Jhancarlos Lara and Shay Schanaman had been promoted to High-A Rome. The pair had combined for 24.1 consecutive scoreless innings in the previous 15 days. Riley Frey took the mound for his SRP Park debut and worked a seamless first, while Augusta also went in order against Charleston starter Jonny Cuevas. The teams remained scoreless until Odalys Peguero doubled to lead off the third and Tre’ Morgan singled him home.
Augusta struggled to break through in the first three frames, but shifted the tenor of the game in the home half of the fourth. Jace Grady led off with a double, before two errors brought home the tying run. A walk to Jose Dilone loaded the bases, before Tyler Collins drove in a pair with a two-out single to left. Ambioris Tavarez then cleared the bases with a two-run single of his own, putting Augusta on top 5-1 through four.
Frey’s outing concluded after five solid innings, with Giomar Diaz entering in relief and hurling a scoreless sixth. However, the wheels came flying off in the top of the seventh, with the RiverDogs plating three runs off of the 20-year old Diaz to make it a 5-4 game. Augusta went quietly in the seventh, before Elison Joseph relieved Diaz and pitched a 1-2-3 eighth. Joseph returned for the ninth, and despite giving up a walk and a single with one out, the closer was able to record a strikeout and a popup to finish off the game.
Riley Frey picked up the win, his first professional winning decision. For Joseph, the save was his team-high ninth. Jonny Cuevas was saddled with the loss, although only one of the five runs on his ledger ended up as earned. The RiverDogs committed four errors in the game for the second straight day. Adam Shoemaker, the lone remaining member of Augusta’s opening day rotation, will make the start tomorrow opposite Gary Gill Hill.
Augusta wraps up the 2023 home slate from now until Sept. 3. The GreenJackets take on the Charleston RiverDogs and the Salem Red Sox over the next two weeks. To purchase tickets and learn more about the upcoming promotions, games, and more, visit https://www.milb.com/augusta/fans/gj-homestand-preview.
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