RiverDogs Power Past Drive, 9-7

GREENVILLE, SC - ClaudioCustodio homered in the eighth and ninth innings to propel the RiverDogs to a9-7 victory Sunday afternoon over the Greenville Drive. It was anotherback-and-forth battle between the Southern Division leaders CharlestonRiverDogs and the Southern Division cellar dwellers Greenville Drive at FluorField at The West End in South Atlantic League action.

With the win, the RiverDogsimprove to 24-16 overall and claim first place all to themselves in theSouthern Division standings for the first time this season. With the loss, theDrive fall to 13-30 and remain in last place in the Southern Divisionstandings.

Charleston's offense was able tostrike for an early first inning run thanks to and RBI double by Peter O'Brien.With the double by O'Brien, he extended his team best hitting streak to ninegames. Scoring the run was leadoff man Jake Cave, who finished 4-for-6 withthree doubles, a triple, two RBI's and a run scored.

RiverDogs hero Claudio Custodiofinished his evening 2-for-4 at the plate with two homers, a walk, three RBI's, three runs scored and a stolen base. First basemen Greg Bird also chipped inwith a 2-for-4 game with a solo homer, a double, a walk and two runs scored.

RiverDogs starter Daniel Camarenastruggled as he lasted 4.1 innings and gave up seven runs on eight hits andwalked four. Camarena was relieved by Dietrich Enns who tossed a scoreless 1.2innings and allowed just two hits and struckout three. Picking up the win, hisfirst of the season, was Phil Wetherell (1-0). Wetherell pitched three scorelessinnings to pick up the win and allowed two hits and struckout two.

The Greenville offense came outready as they plated three runs in the first inning. After scoring a single runin the fourth inning, the Drive plated another three in the fifth and then wereheld scoreless the remainder of the game.

Second baseman Mookie Betts,extended his hitting streak with a single in the fourth inning to a season best14 games.  Betts finished the game 2-for-4 with a single, a double a walk,a stolen base and a run scored.

Greenville starter AustinMaddox struggled yet again as he went 4.2 innings and gave up five runs on ninehits and allowed two homers. Maddox was relieved by Justin Haley who quieted theRiverDog bats as he tossed 3.1 innings and allowed two runs, one earned on fourhits and struck out six. Taking the loss was recently acquired Gerado Olivares(0-1). Olivares pitched the ninth and gave up the final two runs on one hit andone walk.

The RiverDogs will now head southto Georgia for a three game set in Savannah starting Monday night. Charlestonwill send RHP Cesar Vargas (1-1, 4.11 ERA) to the mound, and Savannah's starterhas yet to named. You can listen to the game locally on ESPN 910 AM and onlineat www.riverdogs.com beginningat 7pm. First pitch against the Sand Gnats is scheduled for 7:05pm.