Logan Boyd Muzzles RiverDogs in 1-0 Greenville Victory
It truly has been feast or famine for the Charleston RiverDogs bats this season. A day after splitting a double-header where they were shutout in the first game and scored 10 in the second, the RiverDogs were blanked again, this time by Logan Boyd, as the Greenville Drive starter allowed just 3-hits in 6-innings of work in the 1-0 victory.
Greenville grabbed the lead against RiverDogs starter Nick Nelson right out of the box. With one down, Santiago Espinal doubled and moved to third on a ground out. With two down, Tyler Hill delivered the huge clutch hit, plating Espinal to make it 1-0.
That would be all the runs that would be scored in this game, as this turned out to be a fantastic pitchers’ duel. In a playoff type atmosphere, Boyd and Nelson matched each other pitch-for-pitch, keeping the opposing offense from mounting any kind of rally.
Nick Nelson (0-4) would take the loss, despite pitching a great game. He threw 6-innnigs, allowing 5-hits and a run while striking out 7. David Sosebee pitched the final 3-innings for Charleston, allowing 3-hits and a walk. He struck out 1.
It was a great outing for the Charleston pitching staff, but one that went for naught because of the sensational outing by Logan Boyd (6-1). The left-hander was in complete command on this day, allowing 3-hits and 2-walks in 6-innings of work. He fanned 4 and threw 93-pitches in his best outing of the season.
From there the Greenville bullpen closed it out. Matthew Gorst came on in the seventh and tossed 1.1-innings, allowing a hit while striking out 2. That hit came to lead off the eighth and, when Diego Castillo reached on a fielder’s choice to put two on with just one out, that brought a call to the bullpen for closer Stephen Nogosek. He issued a walk to load the bases, but struck out Blake Rutheford before getting Donny Sands to end the threat. The closer retired the RiverDogs in the ninth for his 10th save.
Santiago Espinal was 2-4 with a run and double for the Greenville Drive. Carlos Vidal was the offensive leader for Charleston, going 2-4 with a double.
These two teams continue their series tomorrow. Bryan Mata makes his debut for the Greenville Drive. Nick Green (3-3, 3.40) starts for the Charleston RiverDogs. First pitch is 7:05.
By Robert Pannier
