RiverDogs Blanked for Second Straight as Dermis Garcia Extends Hit Streak

CHARLESTON, W.V. - First baseman Dermis Garcia enjoyed a two-hit night, extending his hitting streak to a career-best nine straight, carrying almost the entirety of Charleston's offense for the night as the RiverDogs were shutout for the second straight day, 9-0, to the West Virginia Power on Monday night at Appalachian Power Park.
Garcia's multi hit effort now has the 20-year-old Dominican Republic prospect hitting .371 (13-for-35) over his last nine games, including a home run and 10 RBI.
With the shutout defeat, Charleston (57-66, 24-31) has been held scoreless for 22 straight innings going back to Saturday night in West Virginia (63-57, 26-28). The loss marked the first time the RiverDogs' lineup has been held scoreless in back-to-back nine inning games. Charleston's league-low offense has now been shutout 11 times this season.
Dogs starter Nolan Martinez (0-2) cruised through the first time through the order, facing one over the minimum with a walk. The former third-round pick only gave up two hits in the fourth inning, but shaky command got the California native into trouble as the Power plated five to jump out to a big lead. Shortstop Rodolfo Castro hustled out a ground ball that nearly ended the inning with a double play for an RBI fielder's choice before the floodgates opened. Martinez walked a run in and hit another batter with the sacks full before being chased. Left fielder Lolo Sanchez laced a single into left to score two to greet reliever Daniel Ramos as Jesse Medrano was cut down trying to advance to third on the same play, ending the inning.
First-rounder Travis Swaggerty roped a homer to open the fifth, his first as a member of the Power, padding the lead to 6-0. After another run in the sixth, catcher Deon Stafford clubbed another leadoff shot in the seventh for his ninth of the season.
Charleston's offense managed just five total hits and are now a combined 3-for-28 in the series with runners in scoring position after going 0-for-3 in such situations on Monday.

Upcoming
The RiverDogs try to salvage a series split with the Power on Tuesday night from Appalachian Power Park before the Dogs return to close out their final 12 games on the season in the Palmetto State. The RiverDogs will send 20-year-old right-hander Miguel Yajure (4-2, 3.22) as the Power counter with righty Hunter Stratton (5-5, 4.57). First pitch is at 7:05. Tuesday night's contest can be tuned into on "The Big Talker" WTMA 1250 AM in the tri-county area and with online streaming audio via the RiverDogs' TuneIn radio station.
RiverDogs single-game tickets, including options to the Riley Park Club, are available for the remainder of the 2018 campaign, the club's 25^th season as the RiverDogs and their "175^th season in dog years." Ticket information can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com.
--RIVERDOGS--