SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Early Miscues Lead to 9-4 Loss on Sunday

Published on April 29, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


LEXINGTON, KY - West Virginia's mistake-laden first inning allowed Lexington to plate seven unearned runs, as the Power committed four errors in the frame and the Legends built an insurmountable lead, ultimately claiming Sunday's series finale, 9-4, at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. West Virginia took the series, two games to one, to earn their fourth series win of the year.

The Legends (12-10) sent 12 batters to the plate in the first inning, but only tallied three hits in the frame. MJ Melendez, Sebastian Rivero and Marten Gasparini each reached on an error and brought runs in to score in the opening frame, while Vance Vizcaino and Travis Jones stroked two-run knocks off Domingo Robles (1-2) to complete the big inning.

The home team's remaining offense came from back-to-back bombs off the bats of Seuly Matias, who hit his South Atlantic League-leading seventh homer on the year, and Melendez in the fourth inning.

Raul Hernandez laced his first at the Low-A level in the second inning with an RBI double that scored Kyle Watson for West Virginia's first run of the game.

The offense was not finished there, however, as Rodolfo Castro clocked his first homer of the season to right field off Legends' starter Nolan Watson (2-1) in the third. Mason Martin walked and later scored on a passed ball in the sixth, but that was all Watson ceded, as the right-hander tossed a quality start over six innings with seven strikeouts in the win.

In the seventh, Chris Sharpe was able to score off a miscue from second baseman Oliver Nunez after climbing aboard with a one-out single, but that was the last run West Virginia (13-11) could muster in the game.

Blake Weiman and Evan Piechota combined for four scoreless innings out of the pen in the loss. Piechota lowered his team-leading ERA to 0.82 with his two spotless frames. Jacob Taylor added 3.1 innings in relief as well, allowing the back-to-back homers in the fourth in his outing.

After a day off on Monday, the Power return home Tuesday to open up a three-game series against the Augusta GreenJackets, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. Both starters have yet to be announced. Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at wvpower.com, via the TuneIn Radio App and the MiLB First Pitch App.

The homestand includes a three-game set against the Augusta GreenJackets and a four-game series with the Hickory Crawdads. Those seven games are loaded with fun promotions at Appalachian Power Park, including Star Wars Night on Friday, May 4, Pirates and Princesses Night on Saturday, May 5, Harry Potter Day on Sunday, May 6, and so much more. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit www.wvpower.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 29, 2018


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