CHARLESTON, SC - A five-run first inning was more than enough for Charleston as they knocked off the BlueClaws 8-4 on Friday night at Riley Park.

The RiverDogs runs were driven in on an RBI double by Jeff Hendrix, a single by Manny Alvarez, a single by Luis Torrens, and a two-run single by Ricardo Ferreira.

All five first-inning runs were charged to Edgar Garcia, who came out after 2/3 of an inning and took his first loss of the year (3-1). Garcia had allowed a total of four runs in his first 32 innings with the BlueClaws this year.

The BlueClaws bullpen kept them in the game, with Jake Waguespack allowing one run in three innings and Zach Morris throwing 3.1 innings of scoreless relief. Morris has allowed one earned run in his last 29 innings pitched and his outing was the longest of his career.

The BlueClaws battled back in the game with two runs in the sixth and two more in the eighth. They had the go-ahead run at the plate in the eighth but Emmanuel Marrero struck out to end the inning.

Daris Vargas, who gave up two runs in 5.1 innings, earned the win to improve to 5-5 on the year. Andrew Schwab, who got the last four outs, earned his league-leading 18th save of the season.

Jose Pujols had one hit, two RBIs, a SAC fly, and two walks for the BlueClaws while Josh Tobias had two hits in the loss.

Hoy Jun Park had three hits for the RiverDogs while Gosuke Katoh and Ricardo Ferreira had two RBIs.

The BlueClaws and RiverDogs continue their series at 6:05 pm on Saturday night. LHP Tyler Gilbert (4-7) starts for Lakewood.

- BlueClaws -