Charlie Culberson drove in the game-tying run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but the Augusta GreenJackets gave up five in the top of the 10th to wrap up a mediocre homestand with a 7-2 extra-inning loss to the Charleston RiverDogs.
Juan Perez's throwing error with two outs in the top of the 10th allowed two runs to score on the play. Three more came in later in the inning off pitcher Edwin Quirarte to blow the game open.
"We had our chances to win it, but we didn't close the deal," GreenJackets manager Dave Machemer said. "You've got to get the first hitter (out), and you've got to make plays. That's Single-A ball. Just make the plays."
The GreenJackets, who went 3-3 in the homestand, finally got a strong outing from their starting pitcher. Eric Surkamp struck out 10 batters in six innings pitched to match a career high, but Charleston RiverDogs hurler Trent Lare matched the effort, striking out eight in seven innings of work. He allowed four hits and only one earned run.
Charleston took an early 2-0 lead in the fourth when Surkamp's shakiest inning of the night produced three consecutive walks. Augusta got one back in the bottom of the fourth when a Charleston error plated Francisco Peguero, who reached on a leadoff double.
Neither team scored until Culberson's two-out single in the bottom of the ninth. With runners at first and second, Culberson hit a 1-0 pitch sharply between second and third. Pinch runner Mike Loberg scored easily from second when the ball hit off the lip of the outfield grass.
The hit tied the game, but the celebration was short-lived. Perez's error with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th handed Charleston the game.
"It's frustrating when you get that high after we come back and tie it up, then lose it like that," Culberson said. "But that's baseball."
The GreenJackets, who went 3-3 against Savannah and Charleston at home this past week, will play those two teams on the road this week.
Augusta remained 2 1/2 games behind Asheville, who also lost Monday, in the race for the final playoff spot in the South Atlantic League Southern Division standings.
Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.
GAME REPORT
Charleston RiverDogs 7, Augusta GreenJackets 2
STAR OF THE GAME: Charleston starter Trent Lare allowed only one unearned run in 7w innings of work. He struck out eight batters and gave up only four hits.
PLAY OF THE GAME: Tommy Baldridge entered the game in the ninth as a pinch runner but got a chance to bat in the 10th. With the bases loaded and one out, his grounder to second base plated two runs when Juan Perez tried to throw quickly to second to start what would have been an inning-ending double play.
NEXT: The GreenJackets will open up a road trip in Savannah today at 7 p.m.
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