RiverDogs top Tim Hudson and Rome 2-1

CHARLESTON, SC- On Friday night, 6,089 fans came out to Joseph P. Riley Jr. to see three-time MLB All-Star Tim Hudson making a rehab start for the Rome Braves as they took on the Charleston RiverDogs. What they saw was the second consecutive night of exceptional pitching from the RiverDogs.?

Caleb Cotham, Wilton Rodriguez and Ben Paullus combined to pitch a three-hit gem for the home team as the RiverDogs moved to 2-0 on the season. Rodriguez got the win in relief of starter Cotham, and Paullus picked up the save.?

Even with Hudson on the mound for Rome, the RiverDogs wasted no time getting on the board. With two outs in the first inning, Dante Bichette Jr. beat out an infield single. Tyler Austin then put a charge into one, driving the ball over the center fielder's head for an RBI triple and 1-0 lead.??

Charleston made it 2-0 in the second inning when catcher Gary Sanchez doubled to lead off the inning, moved to third on an error and scored on a ground out by first baseman Reymond Nunez.?

Even though he would eventually be saddled with the loss, Hudson enjoyed his time in Charleston. "It is fun to hang out with these kids," he said. "I can see their hunger and passion. It reminds me of my time in the minors. ?It is good to see."?

Meanwhile, Cotham was cruising in his 2012 debut. He did give up a run in 3^rd on a walk, a double and a groundout, but kept Rome off the board otherwise and held onto the lead. The double would be the only hit he would allow in his four innings of work, while striking out four.?

Wilton Rodriguez entered in the fourth and the Rome lineup couldn't solve the right-hander. Rodriguez threw three innings of perfect baseball and struck out five. In his last inning of work, he struck out the side to put an exclamation point on his triumphant outing. Of course, Rodriguez couldn't do it all by himself. With one out in the 6^th, Cito Culver fielded a grounder in the hole on the left side and, while on the run, fired the ball to first to nip the runner.?

In the 8^th inning, manager Carlos Mendoza went to Ben Paullus to close out the game. After two runners had reached, Paullus induced a grounder that was turned into an impressive double play by the infield. He then finished the game in the 9^th with a strike out to put at the RiverDogs at 2-0 on the season.??

BALLPARK FUN: Today marked the first Go Local Saturday of the game, sponsored by Lowcountry Local First, where tri-county residents saved $1 off their ticket. The first 1,000 fans to Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park received a limited edition cap with the logo of the 2012 All-Star Game. Before the game, fans were again treated to the opportunity to ride around the warning track on the RiverDogs Express train. The Express traveled around the warning track before the game, as it will do before every Saturday home game during the year. During the game, the Express continued it's around the park concourse.??

COMING UP: The four-game season opening series with Rome concludes with a Sunday game at 5:05p.m. RiverDogs right hander Bryan Mitchell (0-0 0.00) is scheduled to throw against Rome righty AJ Holland (0-0 0.00). Sunday is Kid's Opening Day, sponsored by Lowcountry Parent Magazine where the first 1,000 kids will receive a free Vapor Apparel t-shirt. Kids will also eat free because it will be Charleston Parks & Recreation Commission and Crews Chevrolet Family Sunday, presented by Pepsi and 96.9 The Wolf. Also included will be free parking, the chance for a pregame catch on the field, reading with the RiverDogs, and a postgame autograph session with the RiverDogs and the mascots Charlie T. RiverDog, Chelsea and Bark.

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