Legends Hold on for 4-3 Win over West Virginia
August 28, 2014 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release
(WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK, Lexington, Ky.) The Lexington Legends held on for a 4-3 win over the West Virginia Power Wednesday night.
The Legends took a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Elier Hernandez and Kenny Diekroeger started the inning with singles, and they moved up to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by Humberto Arteaga. Dex Kjerstad's single scored Hernandez with the game's first run. Diekroeger held at third, and Kjerstad reached second on a throwing error by center fielder Austin Meadows. Alexis Rivera followed with a single, scoring Diekroeger and Kjerstad.
The Power scored a run in the fifth inning. Erich Weiss reached first on an error by Rivera, the first baseman. After Weiss stole second, Maximo Rivera and Kawika Emsley-Pai drew back-to-back walks. Weiss scored from third as Jeff Roy grounded into a force play at second.
The Legends added a run in the bottom of the seventh. Alfredo Escalera singled with two outs, advanced to second on an errant pickoff throw by pitcher Justin Topa, and scored on a double by Dominique Taylor.
The Legends needed that run to hold off the Power in the ninth. With one out, Reese McGuire reached first on a throwing error by Arteaga, the shortstop. Weiss tripled to right center, scoring McGuire, and Weiss came home on a sacrifice fly by Maximo Rivera, cutting the Legends lead to one at 4-3. Emsley-Pai singled, but Legends reliever Tim Hill got the final out when pinch-hitter Francisco Diaz flied out to left field.
Legends starter Niklas Stephenson (1-0) got the win in his first appearance for Lexington after being promoted from Burlington of the Applachian League. He worked five innings, allowed three hits and one unearned run. He struck out two batters and walked three.
West Virginia starter Dovydas Neverauskas (6-11) was the losing pitcher.
Each team has won one game in the three-game series, which concludes Thursday night with the Legends final home game of the 2014 season. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. It will be Legends Hall of Fame night, and the Legends will induct Houston Astros star Jose Altuve into their Hall of Fame. A mini-bobblehead of Altuve, who played for the Legends in 2010, will be given to the first 1,000 fans through the gates. Gates open at 6 p.m.
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