Brandon Gold Dominates the ‘Dogs in Tourists 3-1 Win
A night after watching the Charleston RiverDogs mount a ninth inning rally and win in walk-of fashion, 4-3, the Asheville Tourists sent right-hander Brandon Gold to the hill, and he was absolutely brilliant, allowing just one-run in 7-innings of work to lead Asheville to the 3-1 victory. Jacob Bosiokovic drove in two runs in a three-run fourth inning, spoiling a quality start by Brian Keller.
For three innings, this was a scoreless battle as both Gold and Keller pitched brilliantly. Keller retired the first six batters of the game, and allowed a lone single through three. Gold gave up a hit and a walk in the first, then induced a double-play to start a run of seven straight batters retired.
In the fourth, Asheville would get on the board and take the lead, an advantage they would not relinquish. Keller retired the first two hitters of the inning, but Colton Welker kept the inning alive with a double. Tyler Nevin and Willie Abreu then drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Next up was Max George, who grounded a ball down to the third baseman, beating it out to keep the bases loaded while driving in Welker. Jacob Bosiokovic then followed with a double to right field that scored Nevin and Abreu to make it 3-0.
The RiverDogs looked to get a run back in the bottom of the fourth when Hoy Jun Park looked to score on a base hit by Blake Rutherford. However, the relay from Manuel Melendez to George to Welker nailed Park and kept Charleston off the board.
In the sixth, Charleston would finally break through. Gold retired the first two hitters of the inning, but Park drew a walk to keep it going. Rutherford then followed with a double down the line in left. Park raced around and beat the throw to score and it was 3-1.
Unfortunately, the Charleston RiverDogs would get no close. Brandon Gold (1-1) completed the first 7-innings of the game, giving up 6-hits, 2-walks, and an earned run. He struck out 7. Bryan Baker came on in the eighth, but gave up a hit and walk, and was replaced after retiring two batters. Justin Lawrence retired the final batter of the eighth, then retired the RiverDogs in the ninth for his first save of the season, and the Asheville Tourists were the 3-1 victors.
Max George finished 2-3 with an RBI, and Jacob Bosiokovic had a hit and 2-RBI. It was a big night for Hoy Jun Park, as the RiverDogs second baseman went 3-3 with a run and a walk. Blake Rutherford was 2-4 with a double and an RBI.
These two teams will go at it again tomorrow in an early evening affair. Erick Julio (1-2, 5.65) will start for the Asheville Tourists against Nick Nelson (0-1, 11.05). Game time is 6:05.
By Robert Pannier
