Ynoa Sharp, But Sand Gnats Drop Close Game Via Walkoff, 4-3

Charleston 3, Savannah 2

The Savannah Sand Gnats lost their third straight game, falling to the Charleston RiverDogs 3-2 on Tuesday night at Riley Park.

Kelvin De Leon’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning brought home Peter O’Brien with the winning run. O’Brien led off the inning with a single and went to third on Yeicok Calderon’s single. Savannah reliever Beck Wheeler intentionally walked Reymond Nunez to load the bases and set up a force play, but De Leon drove a fly ball deep enough to score O’Brien, a catcher.

It was tough loss for the Gnats, who battled back from a 2-0 first-inning deficit. They cut the Charleston lead in half when Cole Frenzel’s two-out single drove in Maikis De La Cruz, who had singled. In the sixth inning, Savannah evened the game when Kevin Plawecki led off with a triple and scored on Frenzel’s single. The Gnats had numerous opportunities to score, but left 11 on base. In the ninth, they loaded the bases with one out, but De La Cruz, who is hitting .391 since joining the team, bounced into a force out. Plawecki then fanned to end the inning.

Gabriel Ynoa got the call for the Sand Gnats to start the game and was relatively successful, pitching into the seventh inning, and allowing just two earned runs. He allowed just six hits and struck out six.

Savannah and Charleston finish their three-game series today at 7:05 p.m.