When a team raps out 12- hits it would seem likely that they would put up some big numbers on the scoreboard, but all the Charleston RiverDogs could muster was one-run, as the Augusta GreenJackets lived dangerously but won 2-1. That made a loser of Daris Vargas for the first time this season.

Vargas was opposed by Augusta starter Michael Connolly, and both pitchers were able to keep their opponent off the scoreboard in the first two frames. Charleston had their chances, putting two on in the first with just one out, but they could not advance the lead runner.

Vargas allowed just one hit in the first two innings, striking out three, including two in the second. The right-hander was looking quite impressive, but in the third the GreenJackets were able to grab the lead. Johneshwy Fargas was hit by a pitch to start the inning and then stole second, his first steal of the year. A ground out moved him to third and he scored when Lucius Fox laced a ball to the wall in right field that he legged out for a triple. A wild pitch brought Fox home and it was 2-0.

Connolly retired the RiverDogs in order, but he gave up a single and a walk in the fourth before finally retiring the side. The Augusta starter was living dangerously, and it finally came back to haunt him in the fifth. Connolly retired the first hitter of the inning, but Gosuke Katoh laid down a perfect bunt for a base hit to reach first. A ground out by Holder made him the runner on first, and Hoy Jun Park followed with a single to move Holder to third. That brought Angel Aguilar to the plate, who grounded a single into left field to score Holder and make it a one-run game.

In the sixth, the Charleston RiverDogs had the opportunity to tie the game. Austin Afenir singled to start the inning, but was forced at second, putting Kendall Coleman at first. A passed ball moved him to second and the tying run was just 180-feet away. Two batters later, Leonardo Molina ripped a line drive base hit to right field. Coleman rounded third looking to come home and tie the game, but the throw from Jean Angomas was a laser, gunning Coleman at the plate to keep Augusta in the lead.

That was a huge play, as the RiverDogs would not get a runner into scoring position again. Connolly (2-1) left after 7-innings, allowing 10-hits, a walk, and one-earned run. He struck out 5.

Ryan Koziol took over and pitched quite well, but after giving up a two-out single in the ninth his night was over. Caleb Smith closed it out by retiring the final batter for his third save of the season.

Vargas (4-1) dropped his first game of the season. It was a tough loss as he only allowed 4-hits and 2-runs in 7-innings of work, while striking out 6.

Five Charleston hitters had at least two-hits. Aguilar had two of them and drove in the only run. Fox had two hits, drove in a run and scored a run for Augusta.

These two teams will be at it again tomorrow at 6:05.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier