GreenJackets fall to RiverDogs

A pair of Augusta GreenJackets pitchers working their way back into regular action after missing time with injuries couldn't get past the Charleston RiverDogs on Thursday night in a 4-3 loss.

Andrew Reichard, a Georgia College & State University product making his second start since missing almost two months with tendonitis in his shoulder, gave up two runs in five innings. Reliever Bryan Millikan, who missed the past two seasons after Tommy John surgery, surrendered two runs in 1 1/3 innings.

That was enough for the RiverDogs, who got a strong effort from starter Trent Lare. The 6-foot-4 left-hander didn't allow a walk in seven innings and picked up his first win at the Single-A level.

"Well, we didn't get runners over, our situational hitting was bad and we made too many mistakes," GreenJackets manager Dave Machemer said. "That's about it in a nutshell."

Augusta had opportunities to score multiple times. The GreenJackets scored in the first on a sacrifice fly from Josh Mazzola but left another runner stranded at third. Ehire Adrianza and James Simmons led off the second and fifth innings, respectively, with doubles, but neither scored.

"We had our chances," Machemer said. "When you've got guys at second with no outs, you've got to get something out of that. We didn't move them over, and we didn't get them in and in a one run game that's a big deal."

Charleston's Garrison Lassiter hit his first home run of the season in the second inning to tie the game. The RiverDogs took the lead in the fourth when Abraham Almonte led off the inning with a triple and scored on Corban Joseph's single.

"I'm feeling good. I feel like I'm close to getting back to where I was (before the injury)," said Reichard, who was pulled after reaching his pitch count of 60.

"I just gave up a couple of big hits tonight," he said. "The one home run with two outs wasn't good, and the triple didn't help, either."

Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.