Cishek Blows Save; Hoppers Miss Out on Sweep of RiverDogs

Charleston Erases Two-Run Deficit with Three-Run Ninth to Avoid Sweep

GREENSBORO – The Hoppers were on the top step of the dugout with their brooms. Then things took a drastic change.

What appeared to be a Greensboro sweep took a quick turn in the ninth inning as Charleston erased a two-run deficit and the RiverDogs avoided their first sweep of the season by taking the series final, 4-3 over the Hoppers.

Greensboro grabbed the lead in the second inning and it appeared as if the Hoppers were on their way to their first sweep of the second half, but the RiverDogs had other things in mind.

Charleston used a two-run home run in the ninth to tie the game before pinch-hitting Jesus Montero drove in the winning run. Greensboro sent three batters to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but they were all retired and Charleston turned a solid start by Alex Sanabia into a wasted effort.

Sanabia allowed just one run in his six innings on the mound and was slated to pick up the win before Steven Cishek blew his second save.

Hunter Mense led Greensboro’s offensive charge with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate; both of his hits were doubles.

The final game of the series included 15 combined hits as the two teams pounded out 103 hits in the four-game set.

Greensboro returns to action Friday on the road as the Hoppers open a four-game set against Hagerstown as part of an eight-game road trip that wraps up in Lake County.

Postgame Quick Stats
Win – Jonathan Ortiz (3-2); Loss – Steven Cishek (2-5); Save – None
Time – 2:38; Attendance – 4,901
*****from Justin Stottlemyre Hoppers’ media assistant*****