GreenJackets lose shootout

High-scoring games have been plentiful at Lake Olmstead Stadium this season with five of the Augusta GreenJackets' home games ending with a combined total of 21 or more runs scored.

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Michael Holahan/Staff

Augusta's Juan Perez makes the throw to first base after getting the force at second on Charleston's Ray Kruml on Sunday.

But winning those games is another story.

The GreenJackets fell to the Charleston RiverDogs 14-13 on Sunday in a game that featured season highs for combined runs scored (27) and hits (36). It was Augusta's fifth loss of the year in games in which 21 runs or more were scored.

"It's one of those games you just forget about it and move on to tomorrow," GreenJackets manager Dave Machemer said. "We had a huge lead, but we couldn't stop the bleeding."

Charleston took its largest lead when it scored four runs in the first two innings. The GreenJackets led 10-4 entering the fifth inning.

The scoring, with three ties and two lead changes, came at a pace closer to a basketball game. In the end, Augusta left the game-tying and -winning runs at second and third in the ninth. The game lasted 3 hours, 35 minutes.

"The guys didn't give up," Machemer said. "We didn't quit, and we put ourselves in a good position to tie the game at the end, but we didn't get it done."

The offense came early for both teams. Charleston took a 4-0 lead and chased Augusta starter Orlando Yntema from the game with one out in the top of the second.

The GreenJackets doubled that effort with eight runs in the bottom half to knock RiverDogs starter Cory Arbiso from the game.

Charleston used five relievers; Augusta sent four to the mound. Only GreenJackets pitcher Eric Stolp and Charleston's Edwin Walker escaped without giving up a hit or a run.

The top of the RiverDogs' order did most of the damage.

Their 1-2-3 hitters, Jose Pirela, Abraham Almonte and Corban Joseph went a combined 11 for 17 with eight RBI and seven runs scored. The GreenJackets got their production from the bottom of the order, where the 7-8-9 hitters, Charlie Culberson, Eliezer Zambrano and Wendell Fairley, went 8 for 13.

Augusta trailed by three runs in the ninth, but four singles drove in two runs and loaded the bases for league-RBI leader Josh Mazzola. Charleston reliever Edwin Walker walked Mazzola on four pitches to make it a 14-13 game, but he got Andy D'Alessio to ground out to short to end the game.

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