5 SERIES SEASONFROMMEMORABLEPREVIEWMOMENTSAMEMORABLE8 LEADING OFF BY THE NUMBER19
Myrtle Beach, an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, will visit the Holy City for the first time since mid-July.
The Pelicans, led by Buddy Bailey, have already clinched a playoff berth, edging the RiverDogs by one game for the south division crown in the first half of the season. The second half has been a different story, though. They come into this six-game series with a 72-48 overall record (25-29 in the second half) and sit nine games back in the south division, having not won a series in the month of August. For the Pelicans, 2021 second round pick James Triantos is one of the most highly regarded prospects in the Cubs farm system at the third base position. As the series begins, he is second in the Carolina League with 110 hits on the season. Outfielder, Kevin Alcantara, the number four prospect in the Cubs organization, is another player to watch. He leads the team with 13 home runs as well as 77 RBI, which is the most in the Carolina League. On the mound, they are led by RHP Tyler Santana, who is one of the best pitchers in the Carolina League with an 11-1 record in 24 appearances. After an impressive 9-4 road trip, the RiverDogs, the Single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, look to clinch a playoff berth and defend their championship from a year ago in the final home series of the 2022 season. Managed by Blake Butera, they currently own the best record in minor league baseball at 80-40 (34-20 in the second half) and lead the south division by 3.5 games over the Columbia Fireflies. Offensively, the RiverDogs have a .253 team batting average, which is the highest in the Carolina League. Outfielder Shane Sasaki has been a tough out in the month of August. The Honolulu, Hawaii native has won Carolina Player of the Week twice this month and owns the best batting average in the Carolina League at .318. Over his last two months, Willy Vasquez has been on fire. Having won Carolina League Player of the Month in July, Vasquez has continued his tear in August, hitting .351 over his last 25 games with 21 runs driven in during that stretch. While the RiverDogs bats have not cooled off this season, neither has the pitching staff. Their team ERA of 3.67 puts them at the top of the Carolina League. In the back of the bullpen, RHP Kamron Fields has been nearly unhittable. This month, he has yet to give up an earned run in seven appearances and sports a 2-0 record.
With an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth, the Charleston RiverDogs return to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park to face the Myrtle Beach Pelicans for the final time this season. This will also be the final homestand of the regular season for the RiverDogs, who lead the season series with the Pelicans 9-8.
Tuesday, August 30, 7:05 p.m.: “Ambassa-Dog” Dog Show/Dog Day presented by Twisted Tea: It’s the final chance to bring your dog to a game during the regular season. We know, we are sad too….but we have something to brighten your mood! We are hosting a dog show to determine our 2023 Dog Days Ambassa-Dog. Which canine will rise above the competition to secure this honor? Paws what you are doing and join us to find out. North Charleston dog handler Allen Brown and his champion level giant schnauzer, Kheif, will be in attendance for the dog show and to throw out a first pitch.
Wednesday, August 31, 7:05 pm: Boiled Peanuts Night presented by Luray Peanut Co./Wicked Wednesday pre sented by Wicked Weed: For the final time this season, we are partnering with Luray Peanut Co. and taking the field as our alternate identity, the Boiled Peanuts! The team will tip their sweetgrass caps to South Carolina’s official state snack by wearing dark green uniforms with a peanut pattern on the sleeves. The cap features a peanut-patterned brim and the logo depicts a peanut relaxing in a boiling pot of water. Also, we have one last hump day wicked ticket deal to share. This week, purchase one ticket in any section (excluding Diamond View) and receive another ticket for free with the code: RIVAL. Finally, it’s Tech Night, celebrating Charleston’s growing tech community, presented by Blackbaud.
Saturday, September 3, 6:05 pm: Marvel Super Hero™ Night/Military Appreciation Night/Saturdays Live at The Joe presented by Breeze Airways: We have an inkling that an evil flock of Pelicans will descend on the Holy City during this game. Have no fear, the RiverDogs are flying to the rescue on Marvel Super Hero Night adorned in Captain America themed jerseys. Those very jerseys will be auctioned off throughout the game. Speaking of heroes, this is our final gigantic tribute to military members of the season alongside Boeing. Members of the military will receive a free ticket to the game by calling the RiverDogs box office. The team will also make their latest inductions into the Hall of Honor prior to the contest. Finally, stay in your seat for a live performance of God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch. You never know what kind of fun is in store when you walk into the ballpark on a Saturday Live at The Joe! After the game, stick around for a light show featuring our LED ballpark lights! Saturdays are presented by 92.5 Kickin’ Country, 101.7 Chuck FM and FOX 24.
In addition, enjoy $2 hot dogs and beer as Twisted Tea adds a new twist to Tuesdays this season with goofy on-field games and fan-oriented fun throughout the game. Tuesday games are presented by 96.9 The Wolf.
Sunday, September 4, 5:05 pm: MUSC Health Family Sunday: Parking is free for the family-oriented final home game of the season! Before, during and after each Sunday home game, we will make it all about the kids. From the video board, to between innings contests, and even the opportunity to run the bases, Sundays are sure to be a memorable day for the whole family. Following the game, we will honor one of our players as the 2022 Top Dog. Sundays are presented by Mix 95.9, Star 99.7 and ABC News 4.
Thursday, September 1, 7:05 pm: Squad Goals/Amputee Awareness Night/Thirsty Thursday™ presented by Bud weiser: We know college is back in session, so take a trip around campus and bring your squad to the game. The bigger your squad, the more rewards you receive. A squad of 50 or more will receive 100 Doggy Dollars. That’s a significant amount of free beer. In partnership with Floyd Brace Company on Amputee Awareness Night, the first 600 fans into the ballpark will receive a boot-shaped cup. There is a reason that Thursday nights at The Joe provide one of the best atmo spheres in Minor League Baseball. As always, $1 beers are available throughout the ballpark all night long. $4 well cocktails will also be available during “happy hour” from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Enjoy live music in the Ashley View Pub courtesy of DJ Dol laMenu. Bottoms up! Thursdays are presented by 95sx. Friday, September 2, 7:05 pm: Red Jersey Auction/Friday Fireworks presented by REV Federal Credit Union/Boeing Red Shirt Friday: The RiverDogs will shine a spotlight on active duty and retired military members and their families, while the team wears their red alternate jerseys on the field. The jerseys, which have been worn for every Friday home game this season, will be auctioned off during the game. This is your chance to own a uniform worn by one of the players on the team with the most wins in Minor League Baseball! Following the game, enjoy the final fireworks show of the season set to live music from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Fridays are presented by 103.5 WEZL and Live 5 News.
#4: Vernon’s Dominant Month of May
Down 7-4 with the bases loaded, Oneill Manzeuta came up to the plate. He got a fastball and smoked a fly ball off of the foul pole in left field to give the RiverDogs an 8-7 lead. The largest crowd of the season at 6, 415 went crazy as the RiverDogs completed the comeback. The lead expanded to 11-7, as the RiverDogs sent 12 men to the plate and scored 10 runs on six hits. They needed all 11 of those runs because the GreenJackets would not go away. They scored three runs in the
That morning, Snyder got a call that he would be joining the RiverDogs. His day of travel started when he made the hour drive to Nashville, TN and flew to Charlotte, NC. Meanwhile, the RiverDogs were in the middle of a game against the Salem Red Sox. When Snyder got off the bus in Salem, the RiverDogs were in the seventh inning. He got his uniform on, went to the bullpen and started doing his drills. Then, he got the call that he was coming into pitch the next inning. “I got about five warm-up pitches, and they asked me if I was good to go,” he said. “At this point, yes. I am ready to go.”
Though his time in Charleston was short, Vernon showed the Tampa Bay Rays organization why they made the right decision drafting him in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of North Carolina #3:Central.July
4; Independence Day Miracle
Things could not have started out any worse for RiverDogs as the GreenJackets immediately jumped out to a 7-0 lead, scoring in each of the first four innings. The RiverDogs could not get anything going until the bottom of the seventh inning.
Though he gave up the run, do not let that fool you. That day, he was as dominant as ever. He went 5.0 in nings, giving up the one run on four hits and striking out a season-high 11 batters.
After 12 hours of travel across multiple states, Snyder was credited with the save and helped his new teammates win the game.
This season has been a special one for the defending champion Charleston RiverDogs. They have the best record in Minor League Baseball and are competing for a playoff spot in order to defend their crown.
Vernon gave up just one run the entire month, which came against the Delmarva Shorebirds on May 27.
# 5: April 23; Jack Snyder’s Wild Debut April 23, 2022 will be a day that Jack Snyder will remember for the rest of his life. The former Independent Leaguer’s day started in Bowling Green, Kentucky, ended in Salem, Virginia and had a few other stops along the way.
There are numerous highlights from this year that fans can choose from, but here is a look at the top mo ments from the 2022 RiverDogs.
After all of that, Snyder pitched the final 1.2 innings of the ball game, giving up no runs, hits or walks and struck out four batters as the RiverDogs defeated the Red Sox 10-6.
After losing their first series of the season the week prior, the RiverDogs came back home to host the Augusta GreenJackets for their first home game on Fourth of July since 2018.
Austin Vernon was among the best in the Carolina League during his time in Charleston. In 15 appearances for the RiverDogs this season, he was 9-1 with a 1.69 ERA. In the month of May, he was flawless. Through 20.1 in nings pitched across five appearances, he was 4-0 with a 0.44 ERA and at one time, led the minor leagues in strike outs, earning him Carolina League Player of the Month.
Two batters later, down to his last strike, Shane Sasaki came through with an RBI single to keep the game going for Carson Williams. Williams, who was also down to his last strike, lined a ball into the gap and tied the game with an RBI triple to send it to extra innings.
After a clean inning from Brayden Theriot, the RiverDogs were threatening again in the bottom of the tenth inning. With Spikes at second, Kenny Piper came to the plate with a walk-off in mind.
With a first half playoff berth on the line, the RiverDogs found themselves behind 2-0 entering the bottom of the ninth inning against the Columbia Fireflies.
With Luis Leon coming to the plate, the Fireflies made a pitching change. On the first pitch after the change, Leon sent Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park into a frenzy with a walk-off two-run home run to keep the RiverDogs alive in the playoff race.
He got the fastball on 0-2 and drilled it into right field just over the out-stretched arm of the right fielder to give the RiverDogs the walk-off victory.
After the first two men struck out to begin the inning, the RiverDogs started a rally, as Bobby Sey mour lined a double into the gap. Then, down to his last strike, Shane Sasaki lined a single into center field to cut the Firefly lead to 2-1.
For most of this game, the RiverDogs once again found themselves down entering the final in nings, but like most of this season, this team did not stop fighting. Behind 7-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Down East Wood Ducks, the RiverDogs pulled off another miraculous comeback. With one out and men at second and third, Alejandro Pie doubled to narrow the Wood Duck lead to two.
final two innings and left the bases loaded in the ninth, giving the RiverDogs the narrow 11-10 Thisvictory.win was the largest come from behind win for the RiverDogs this season and started a run that has earned them the best record in all of Minor League Baseball.
#2: July 30; Late-Inning Magic in the Holy City
#1: June 23; Leon Lifts the RiverDogs to Victory
“I am just looking for a fastball again,” said Piper. “With two strikes, I am looking for something up and hard. He gave me that fastball and I did what I could with it to get the job done.”
Though the RiverDogs were unable to clinch a playoff berth that night, Leon’s home run will be remembered by many RiverDogs fans in attendance.
No. Pitchers (15) B T Ht Wt Birthplace Birthdate 2021 Club(s) College Acquired 10 Ayala Jr., Alex L L 6'2 205 Chiriqui, Panama 11/26/01 FCL Rays Florida Southwestern State 9th/2021 27 Bitsko, Nick R R 6'4 225 Doylestown, PA 06/16/02 DNP - Injury None 1st/2020 24 Cortorreal, Aneudy R R 6'3 260 Santo Domingo, DR 12/13/99 FCL Rays None Int. FA/2018 33 Cuevas, Jonny R R 6'2 200 Indio, CA 11/20/00 FCL Rays Southern Nevada 12th/2021 38 Curet, Yoniel R R 6'2 190 San Pedro de Macoris, DR 11/03/02 DSL Rays None Int. FA/2019 22 Fields, Kamron R R 6'3 202 Dallas, TX 09/24/98 FCL Rays Texas Southern 20th/2021 25 Galue, Over R R 6'2 227 Santa Barbara, VEN 07/31/01 FCL Rays None Int. FA/2017 39 Garcia, Roel R R 6'4 245 Clear Lake, TX 11/21/98 Rice University Rice 14th/2022 21 Goss, JJ R R 6'3 202 Houston, TX 12/25/00 FCL Rays None CBA/2019 23 Harney, Sean L R 6'0 190 Boston, MA 07/10/98 Kentucky Kentucky 8th/2022 30 Jimenez, Antonio L L 5'10 158 San Pedro de Macoris, DR 05/06/01 FCL Rays/Charleston None Int. FA/2018 34 Snyder, Jack R R 6'2 205 Chicago, IL 08/04/98 Schaumburg (Independent) Western Carolina UDFA/2022 29 Whittle, Daiveyon R R 6'1 235 Fresno, CA 11/11/99 DNP - Injury Fresno City College 23rd/2018 20 Wilcox, Cole R R 6'4 245 Chattanooga, TN 07/14/99 Charleston Georgia 3rd/2020 11 William, Junior R R 6'5 190 San Pedro de Macoris, DR 03/06/00 DSL Rays None Int. FA/2021 No. Catchers (4) B T Ht Wt Birthplace Birthdate 2021 Club(s) College Acquired 2 Keegan, Dominic R R 6'0 210 Methuen, MA 08/01/00 Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt 4th/2022 16 Meza, Julio R R 6'0 165 Barquisimeto, VEN 05/04/99 FCL Rays None Int. FA/2017 28 Perry, Nathan L R 6'2 207 Spencer, VA 07/07/99 Fayetteville (Astros) None 5th/2017 35 Piper, Kenny R R 6'0 190 Florissant, MO 07/12/98 FCL Rays Columbia College 18th/2021 No. Infielders (6) B T Ht Wt Birthplace Birthdate 2021 Club(s) College Acquired 37 Caminero, Junior R R 5'11 155 Santo Domingo, DR 07/05/03 DSL Cleveland None Int. FA/2019 19 Pie, Alejandro R R 6'4 175 La Romana, DR 01/31/02 FCL Rays None Int. FA/2018 12 Robertson, Blake L R 6'5 200 San Antonio, TX 05/19/01 Cowley College Oklahoma 7th/2022 9 Spikes, Ryan R R 5'9 198 Conyers, GA 03/13/03 FCL Rays None 3rd/2021 13 Vasquez, Willy R R 6'2 201 Santo Domingo, DR 09/06/01 FCL Rays None Int. FA/2019 7 Williams, Carson R R 6'2 185 San Diego, CA 06/25/03 FCL Rays None 1st/2021 No. Outfielders (4) B T Ht Wt Birthplace Birthdate 2021 Club(s) College Acquired 1 Castellanos, Daiwer L R 5'11 155 Bejuma, VEN 08/16/00 FCL Rays None Int. FA/2018 5 Jones, Brock L L 6'0 197 Fresno, CA 03/28/21 Stanford Stanford 2nd/2022 17 Manzueta, Oneill R R 5'11 221 Santo Domingo, DR 02/07/01 FCL Rays None Int. FA/2018 6 Sasaki, Shane R R 6'0 168 Honolulu, HI 07/01/00 FCL Rays None 3rd/2019 No. Injured List (4) B T Ht Wt Birthplace Birthdate 2021 Club(s) College Acquired 32 Allen, Logan R R 5'10 190 Bryant, AR 08/13/98 FCL Rays Arkansas-Fort Smith 14th/2019 26 Gaston, Sandy R R 6'3 230 Matanzas, Cuba 12/16/01 FCL Rays/Charleston None Int. FA/2018 5 Schnell, Nick L R 6'3 180 Indianapolis, IN 03/27/98 Charleston None 1st/2018 31 Seymour, Bobby L R 6'4 275 Harvey, IL 10/07/98 FCL Rays Wake Forest 13th/2021 August 30 Charleston RiverDogs 2022 Roster Single-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays 3 • Blake Butera Manager 18 • R.C. Lichtenstein Pitching Coach 4 • Perry Roth Hitting Coach 36 • Frank Jagoda Bench Coach Ruben Santiago Athletic Trainer Mia Salvemini Strength and Conditioning Coach Steve Berhalter Clubhouse Manager Charleston RiverDogs 360 Fishburne St. • Charleston, SC 29403 Phone: 843.723.7241 • Fax: 843 723 2641 Email: admin@riverdogs.com Pronunciation Guide Junior Caminero (COM in air oh) Daiwer Castellanos (die were) Aneudy Cortorreal (ahn YOO dee cort OH ree ahl) Yoniel Curet (yuh knee EL KOO ret) Kamron Fields (Cameron) Over Galue (oh VAIR GAHL oo way) Sandy Gaston (SAHN dee GAH stone) R.C. Lichtenstein (lick tin stine) Oneill Manzueta (OH kneel MAHN zway tuh) Julio Meza (MEZZ uh) Alejandro Pie (Pee ay)
No. PITCHERS (17) B T HT WT BIRTHPLACE BIRTHDATE AGE ACQUIRED 13 Michael Arias R R 6’0 155 Santo Domingo, D.R. 11/15/2001 20 FA/2021 25 Yovanny Cabrera R R 6’2 180 Santiago, D.R. 03/22/2001 21 INT FA/2019 34 Angel Gonzalez R R 6’2 175 Manati, Puerto Rico 08/26/2002 19 INT FA/2020 29 Saul Gonzalez R R 6’7 235 Cidra, Puerto Rico 12/28/1999 22 Trade/2022 16 Angel Hernandez L L 6’2 180 Ciudad Bolivar, D.R. 05/06/2000 22 INT FA/2020 19 Nick Hull R R 6’0 205 Edmonds, WA 08/21/1999 23 7th/2022 57 Grant Kipp R R 6’6 220 Dallas, TX 11/11/1999 22 NDFA/2022 53 Brody McCullough R R 6’4 205 Lexington, NC 06/30/2000 22 10th/2022 41 Anthony Mendez R R 6’1 190 Villa Gonzalez, D.R. 08/04/2002 20 INT FA/2019 56 Koen Moreno R R 6’2 170 Cary, NC 08/01/2001 21 5th/2020 52 Johzan Oquendo R R 6’2’ 180 Santruce, Puerto Rico 01/06/2001 21 16th/2019 36 Mathew Peters R R 6’4 215 Fort Wayne, IN 12/28/2000 21 12th/2022 35 Luis Rodriguez L L 6’1 190 Veracruz, Mexico 09/10/1999 22 INT FA/2017 51 Frankie Scalzo R R 6’3 185 San Diego, CA 11/25/1999 22 14th/2021 30 Sam Thoresen R R 6’3 210 St. Louis Park, MN 09/21/1998 23 NDFA/2020 48 Didier Vargas R L 6’0 175 San Miguelito, Panama 03/13/1999 23 INT FA/2016 55 Chase Watkins L L 6’4 215 Watsonville, CA 10/04/1999 24 9th/2021 No. INFIELDERS (7) B T HT WT BIRTHPLACE BIRTHDATE AGE ACQUIRED 40 Josue Huma S R 6’1 175 San Francisco de Macoris, D.R. 03/17/2000 22 INT FA/2016 38 Juan Mora R R 5’9 176 Sinaloa, Mexico 09/30/1999 22 INT FA/2018 3 Reginald Preciado S R 6’4 185 Boqueron, Panama 05/16/2003 19 Trade/2020 20 Pedro Ramirez S R 5’9 165 Temblador, Venezuela 04/01/2004 18 INT FA/2021 15 Liam Spence R R 6’1 190 Victoria, Australia 04/09/1998 24 5th/2021 45 Felix Stevens R R 6’4 225 Havana, Cuba 07/30/1999 22 INT FA/2019 7 James Triantos R R 6’1 195 Fairfax, VA 01/29/2003 19 2nd/2021 No. OUTFIELDERS (3) B T HT WT BIRTHPLACE BIRTHDATE AGE ACQUIRED 12 Kevin Alcantara R R 6’6 188 Santo Domingo, D.R. 07/12/2002 20 Trade/2021 39 Parker Chavers L R 5’11 185 Montgomery, AL 07/25/1998 24 7th/2021 5 Ezequiel Pagan L R 6’1 163 Guayanilla, Puerto Rico 08/07/2000 22 13th/2018 No. COACHES & STAFF POSITION BIRTHPLACE YRS w/ PELICANS 46 Buddy Bailey Manager Norristown, PA 5th season 32 Clayton Mortensen Pitching Coach Rexburg, ID 2nd season 44 Steven Pollakov Hitting Coach Chicago, IL 1st season 27 Jovanny Rosario Bench Coach Santo Domingo, D.R. 1st season 11 Andrew Gold Development Coach 1st season Nick Roberts Athletic Trainer 1st season Mark Weisman Strength Coach 1st season Injured List 17 Tyler Santana 28 Andricson Salva 22dor Jacob Wetzel Temporarily Inactive List Development List 4 Malcom Quintero 24 Gregori Montano Latest Transactions - RHP Mathew Peters added to the roster -(8/28)RHPGregori Montano placed on Development List (8/28) - RHP Michael Arias add ed to the roster (8/27) - RHP Nick Hull added to the roster (8/27) - OF Jacob Wetzel placed on IL (8/27) - INF Reginald Preciado added to the roster -(8/25)INFPedro Ramirez add ed to the roster (8/25) Official as of August 28, 2022 % - MLB rehab assignment & - MiLB rehab assignment No. CATCHERS (3) B T HT WT BIRTHPLACE BIRTHDATE AGE ACQUIRED 9 Moises Ballesteros L R 5’10 195 Los Teques, Venezuela 11/08/2003 18 INT FA/2021 6 Ethan Hearn L R 5’10 200 Mobile, AL 08/31/2000 21 6th/2019 21 Haydn McGeary R R 6’5 235 Phoenix, AZ 10/09/1999 22 15th/2022 Pronunciation Guide #9 buy-es-STER-os #40 HO-sway OO-mah #3 preh-see-AH-doe #12 al-CAHN-tah-rah #52 JO-zahn oh-KEN-doe #4 kin-TEAR-oh #16 AHN-hell #56 KO-en #5 uh-ZEE-kee-uhl #24 greg-OR-ee mon-TAHN-yo #7 tree-AHN-tos #34 AHN-hell Roster and Transactions sponsored by
RHP Ben Peoples has been a valuable part to the Charleston RiverDogs pitching staff all season long. After a stellar career at Giles County High School, Peoples decided to bypass a scholarship to Xavier University and sign with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019. With a fastball in the mid-90’s, Peoples reported to the Florida Complex League in 2019 and pitched in five games, earning a 5.91 ERA. After the 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19, Peoples returned to the FCL for the 2021 season. There, he found more success, finishing the year with a 2-1 record and a 2.84 ERA in 19.0 innings. In his first full season of minor league baseball, Peoples has been a consistent piece to a RiverDogs pitching staff that leads the Carolina League with a 3.64 team ERA. This year, he is 5-5 with a 3.11 ERA in 22 games (21 GS). After a tough start to the season, Peoples has been sensational this summer. Since July 1, he owns a 2-2 record with a 2.59 ERA, and during the month of August, he owns an even more impressive 1.89 ERA in 19.0 innings pitched. His efforts on the mound has been monumental to the RiverDogs this season and he looks to continue that success down the stretch as the RiverDogs fight to defend their crown. TN by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 22nd round of the 2019 MLB Draft
SERVE YOUR WAY In the Air National Guard, you get to serve wherever you call home in a role that best suits you, all while supporting communities both locally and globally.
GET TO KNOW BEN PEOPLES Hometown: Goodspring,
College: Acquired:NoneSelected
Record for wins in a single season in franchise history set by the 1988 Charleston Rainbows. The 2022 RiverDogs begin this homestand with 80 wins and have 12 games remaining to tie the record or set a new standard.
Home runs hit by 19-year-old shortstop Carson Williams this season. That number leads the team and is tied for second in the Carolina League. Williams was the Tampa Bay Rays first round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. The run differential for the RiverDogs this season, second best in the Carolina League. The RiverDogs have scored 666 runs on the year and allowed just 515. The runs allowed are the fewest in the league.
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