SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Balk Costs Power

August 14, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


The West Virginia Power lost 4-3 on Tuesday evening to the Greensboro Grasshoppers at Appalachian Power Park. The Grasshoppers scored the winning run on a balk in the top of the eighth inning to earn a split of this series with one game remaining.

West Virginia took the lead with a run in the second inning. Dan Gamache doubled and scored on a two-base hit by Jose Osuna and staked Power starter Nick Kingham to the 1-0 advantage. The lead was, however, short-lived as Greensboro scored twice on an Austin Barnes triple in the third and chased Kingham from the game.

The Power quickly regained the lead in the home half of the third inning when Willy Garcia hit his 16th home run of the season; a two-run shot off spot starter Jake Esch for a 3-2 West Virginia edge.

That lead held until Barnes hit a solo home run off Rinku Singh in the top of the sixth inning.

In the eight with the game tied at three, Barnes reached on a fielder's choice with one out. With Aaron Senne at the plate, Barnes stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw by Power catcher Elias Diaz. Emmanuel De Leon, who relieved Singh in the seventh by striking out the side, then balked in Barnes for the eventual winning run.

West Virginia managed just three baserunners after the fourth inning, including a two-out single by Junior Sosa in the bottom of the ninth, but could not plated any further runs against Esch of the Grasshopper bullpen.

De Leon (1-4) took the loss and Kevin Cravey earned with win with two innings of scoreless relief. Greg Nappo pitched the ninth for his third save.

The victory guaranteed that Greensboro will win the 14-game season series with on contest left on Wednesday night. The Grasshoppers have taken eight of 13 for the Power this season. Mike Jefferson gets the start for West Virginia in Wednesday against Greensboro's Jose Urena. The first pitch is slated for 7:05 pm at Appalachian Power Park.

SECOND HALF RECORD: 28-23

OVERALL RECORD: 51-70

Check out the Charleston Dirty Birds Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from August 14, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central