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GREENSBORO -- One night after blowing a three-run lead in the ninth inning, the Greensboro Grasshoppers were in jeopardy of losing another one in the final innings.

But Corey Madden came on to get the final four outs, and Greensboro held on for an 8-7 victory over the surging Charleston RiverDogs on Sunday evening at NewBridge Bank Park.

Andy Romine capped a perfect day when he clubbed his second home run of the game with two outs in the eighth inning for the RiverDogs. Charleston added another run in the frame, prompting manager Edwin Rodriguez to call for Madden to put out the fire.

Madden ended the threat when he helped knock down a ball hit back up the middle, which Ozzie Martinez fielded for an easy force play to end the inning. Madden allowed one hit in the ninth but earned his third save of the season and strengthened his role as the closer with Garrett Parcell still sidelined with an injured forearm.

The RiverDogs came in as the hottest team in the league, having won six straight games. And they jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead. But the Hoppers battled back with five runs in the bottom of the first.

Hunter Mense gave Greensboro the lead with an RBI single, and Tom Hickman capped the inning with a three-run home run, his 10th of the season.

When the Hoppers tagged on two more runs in the second inning to build a 7-1 lead, it looked like they were in for an easy night.

But Charleston's offense eventually came to life. The RiverDogs banged out 19 hits and scored five runs off Greensboro's bullpen.

Starting pitcher Stuart Alexander (8-8) picked up his second straight win, going five innings and allowing two runs. Rodriguez said there was no thought about getting another inning out of his starter, who gave up nine hits and two walks.

"I was squeezing three (innings) already," Rodriguez said. "We have 13 pitchers on the roster, and I was trying to squeeze a win for him. He did a good job pitching to contact."

While the pitching was shaky, the offense had another big day, pounding out 12 hits. The Grasshoppers had chances for even more runs, but they ran into outs on the bases with three flyball double plays in the last three innings.

"I think the offense has been there pretty much all season," Rodriguez said. "We're third or fourth in offense all season out of 16 teams. I think that's pretty good. It's just a matter of putting everything together -- the offense, pitching and the defense."

Mike Stanton had another big day with two hits and two walks. He added his 23rd home run of the season in the sixth inning, a solo shot in what turned out to be the game-winning run.