Flemming, Lines Power RiverDogs to Season-Series Clincher Over Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, SC – Paced by a five-run seventh, the Charleston RiverDogs erased a late deficit to secure a thrilling 9-6 win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Thursday night at Pelicans Ballpark.
With the win, the RiverDogs secured the season-series victory over Myrtle Beach for the first time since 2024, and just the second time since rejoining the Rays organization in 2021.
Myrtle Beach controlled the pace over the game’s first six innings, carrying a three-run lead behind starter Braylon Myers who fanned eight over five scoreless frames.
Charleston right hander Alex Wallace was strong from the get-go, providing five innings of three-run ball. In the process, he fanned six hitters on just five hits.
The RiverDogs began their comeback bid in the top of the seventh when Dean Moss floated an RBI single to center to make it 3-1.
After an error brought home another Charleston run, Rays No. 4 prospect Cooper Flemming stepped to the plate and lofted a three-run homer to left that flipped the score and gave the RiverDogs a 5-3 lead.
Flemming leads the team with nine homeruns and 57 runs batted in this season. In the month of July, he is slashing .342/.463/.553/1.016 with ten extra-base hits.
In the top of the eighth, Jack Lines stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and blasted a towering grand slam down the right-field line to push the lead to 9-3. The homer marked Lines’ first of the campaign and second of his professional career.
After not hitting a grand slam over the season’s first three-and-half months, Charleston has blasted two in the last week (Justyn-Henry Malloy, 7/25 versus Wilson).
Despite a three-run effort from Myrtle Beach in the bottom of the eighth, Riley Stanford slammed the door with a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his second save of the season.
In his first Single-A start, Rays No. 14 prospect Slater de Brun also made his presence known, finishing 3-for-5 with a stolen base.
With the win, the RiverDogs moved to 56-43 and 19-14 in the second half, while Myrtle Beach fell to 39-58, and 12-21 in the second half. The two return to the ballpark tomorrow for game four of the series. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:50 on the RiverDogs Broadcast Network.
Let Freedom Bark
After clinching the Carolina League South first half title, the RiverDogs have secured a spot in the 2026 postseason, presented by Nucor Steel Berkeley. The best-of-three Division Series begins on Tuesday, September 8. Thanks to their first-half division title, the RiverDogs are guaranteed to host Game 2, and, if necessary, Game 3, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on September 10 and 11.
Season Ticket Holders can renew their 2026 package for 2027, to receive complimentary tickets to all home postseason games. All other fans can purchase an exclusive package that includes a ticket to all home playoff games and a guaranteed t-shirt for a limited time. Tickets are available here.