Eight-Run Second Leads Fireflies Over RiverDogs
COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies took advantage of a sloppy start from the RiverDogs to score eight in the second, beating Charleston 10-4 to close out their series at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark Sunday evening. Audry Lugo (L, 3-2), walked the bases loaded without recording an out in
COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies took advantage of a sloppy start from the RiverDogs to score eight in the second, beating Charleston 10-4 to close out their series at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark Sunday evening.
Audry Lugo (L, 3-2), walked the bases loaded without recording an out in the second frame before serving up a double to Enrique Valdez to put the Fireflies (45-51) up a pair to start off the game. The inning didn’t end there though. Jean Ramirez, Diego Hernandez and Tyler Tolbert all reached base safely to put the Fireflies up 5-0 to set the table for Juan Carlos Negret, who smashed his league-leading 21st homer of the season to put Columbia in front 8-0.
The Fireflies utilized an excellent start from Luinder Avila (W, 2-0) to keep the RiverDogs (67-29) at bay. Avila allowed two, unearned runs in five innings Sunday, bringing his total to 10 innings in two starts in the Low-A East, and Avila hasn’t allowed an earned run during the stretch.
Chih-Ting Wang ran into some trouble in the bullpen, allowing a pair of runs to score in the bottom of the eighth that drew the RiverDogs within 10-4. Taylor Bloye was able to close out the game in the ninth though as Columbia cruised to victory.
The Fireflies added two more runs in the top of the 7th inning. Gage Hughes smashed a single up the gut to score Juan Carlos Negret and then a wild pitch ended up bringing Saul Garza home to give the Fireflies their 10th run of the game. It’s the first time the Fireflies have scored 10 runs in a single game since they beat Fayetteville 15-4 August 12.
Following the off day, Columbia will travel to Myrtle Beach where the team will face-off in a six-game series against the Pelicans. Both teams have yet to name a starter.
The Fireflies return home to Segra Park for a six-game homestand with the Charleston RiverDogs August 31. It all starts with a Miller Lite $2 Tuesday where hot dogs, popcorn, fountain soda and 12 oz cans of Miller Lite are all only $2. You can purchase tickets at FirefliesTickets.com.