Mitchell Tosses a Gem for RiverDogs - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

Bryan Mitchell hurled seven scoreless innings for the Charleston RiverDogs as they shutout the Rome Braves 3-0 in South Atlantic League action in front of 4,211 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Thursday night. 

The first-place RiverDogs are now 26-12 and picked up ground in the Southern Division as Savannah lost to Augusta. Rome remained in the division basement, falling to 8-30. 

Mitchell's outing was the longest by a RiverDogs' starter this season and he was outstanding. His ten strikeouts were also a season high for a Charleston pitcher. He finished off his outing in style, striking out 5 of the last seven batters he faced. Mitchell didn't walk a single batter and allowed only six hits in improving to 4-2 on the season.   

His lineup wasted no time in getting him all the runs he would need. In the first inning, Tyler Austin (1-2, HR, 2 RBI, run) pulverized a pitch from Rome's A.J. Holland (1-7) over the right field wall for a two-run homer. The RiverDogs added to their lead in the second when a Reymond Nunez single scored Angelo Gumbs, who had tripled earlier in the inning. 

Mitchell was relieved in the eighth by Joel De La Cruz, but things didn't get any easier for the Braves. De La Cruz pitched the last two innings without allowing a hit and picked up his first save in a RiverDogs uniform. 

The first pitch came at 7:38 p.m. due to a rain delay, but for the rest of the night, the action at the park went on uninterrupted.