It has taken a little over a month for some on the Charleston RiverDogs pitching staff to find their grove, but Monday night the team’s coaching staff had to feel really good about the performance of Freicer Perez. The starter allowed just one-run in 5.2-innings of work while striking out 8 in his best performance of the season, and a three-run fourth was all the run support he needed in the 4-1 victory over the West Virginia Power.

The Power jumped out in front when they plated a run in the bottom of the second. Trae Arbet was hit by a pitch to start the frame, and Carlos Munoz followed with a single that moved Arbet to third. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Ty Moore and it was 1-0 West Virginia.

Blake Cederlind started for West Virginia and he was absolutely brilliant in his three innings of work. He did not allow a single hit, and only walked two while striking out 4. It was his second straight outing without allowing a run. However, he came out of the game to start the fourth, and Geoff Hartlieb took over for the Power. The RiverDogs took advantage right away.

Hoy Jun Park led off the inning with a single and Blake Rutherford followed with a base hit that moved Park to third. Next up was Isiah Gilliam, who was named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week earlier in the day. He beat out a ground ball for a single, scoring Park and tying the game. Brandon Wagner was the hit by a pitch to load the bases and, two batters later, Carlos Vidal grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Rutherford. Eduardo Navas singled to score Gilliam and Charleston left the inning leading 3-1.

That was all the support that Freicer Perez (1-2) needed. Following the run he allowed in the second, he breezed through the next three innings, striking out seven in that span.

However, in the sixth, West Virginia threatened to tie the score. Albert Baur singled to start the inning and Arbet reached on an error to put two on with no one out. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position before Moore struck out. Brent Gibbs was hit by a pitch to load the bases and that would be it for Perez. Trevor Lane came on and struck out Sandy Santos to end the threat.

Lane would pitch 2.1-innings of shutout ball to preserve the lead, striking out 2. Garrett Mundell came on in the ninth and pitched a perfect frame, striking out one for his second save of the season.

The RiverDogs gave Mundell a little more breathing room before he entered the game. In the top of the ninth, Brandon Wagner hit his first homer of the season to make it 4-1. That was the final.

Freicer Perez finished with 5.2-innings pitched in his longest outing of the year. He allowed 5-hits, a walk, and an earned run, while striking out 8.

This four-game series continues tomorrow as an early morning affair. Jio Orozco (1-2, 6.08) will go for the Charleston RiverDogs. He will be opposed by Oddy Nunez (0-3, 3.65). First pitch is 10:35.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier