SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Clutch offense propels Power to victory

Published on July 8, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


Savannah, GA (July 8, 2008) - The West Virginia Power trailed the Savannah Sand Gnats by a run with two outs in the eighth inning of Tuesday night's game at Grayson Stadium until Eric Fryer belted a two-run double off the wall in right field to plate the tying and winning runs as the Power defeated the Sand Gnats 3-2.

Both teams had scoring chances early in the game but couldn't cash in. The Sand Gnats had runners on second and third with one out in the second inning but Dan Merklinger worked out of the jam by striking out Richard Pena before inducing a fly ball out from Joaquin Rodriguez to end the inning. The Power had runners at second and third with nobody out in the third inning, but Savannah starter Scott Moviel retired Matt Cline and Lee Haydel on line-drive outs before Eric Farris grounded out to end the inning.

The Sand Gnats scored their first run in the third when Carlos Guzman scored on Casey Craig's sacrifice fly. The Power responded quickly and tied the game in the fourth inning when Caleb Gindl scored on Steffan Wilson's two-out double off the wall in right field. In the seventh, the Sand Gnats took their second lead of the game when Jose Jimenez scored on a wild pitch from Corey Frerichs. The Power had been held hitless since Wilson's fourth inning double until Haydel ripped a two-out single in the eighth inning. Farris followed with a single to center field and they both scored on Fryer's two-bagger off the right field wall.

Frerichs (4-6) allowed a run on no hits and walked two in one inning of action and got the victory. Curtis Pasma (2) pitched two scoreless innings of relief to get the save. Rhiner Cruz (0-1) allowed a pair of runs on three hits in two innings of relief and was tagged with the loss. Merklinger tossed six sensational innings for the Power, allowing just an unearned run on three hits and he fanned four in the process.

The Power improved to 46-42 on the year and 14-5 in the second half with the win. The Sand Gnats fell to 40-49 on the year and 7-12 in the second half with the loss. Farris extended his hitting streak to 11 games while Fryer extended his to nine. Wilson's double extended his road hitting streak to 14 games. The Sand Gnats have hit into five double plays in the first two games of the series.

The Power will continue the four game series against the Savannah Sand Gnats at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia on Wednesday night. Left hander Evan Frederickson (0-0, 6.75) will make the start for the Power and the Sand Gnats will counter with right hander Elvin Ramirez (6-6, 3.43). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 8, 2008


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