Five-Run First Inning Buries Power in Rain-Shortened Loss
August 7, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. - A five-run first inning for the Greensboro Grasshoppers put away West Virginia 8-1 in the rain-shortened, six-inning series opener Tuesday night at First National Bank Field.
Deon Stafford smashed a home run over the left field wall in the top of the sixth inning for West Virginia's only run to cut Greensboro's lead to 8-1.
The Grasshoppers (21-20, 55-55) jumped right out of the gate in the bottom of the first inning. Connor Scott smacked a double in his first South Atlantic League at-bat before Thomas Jones laced a two-bagger into the left-center field alley to break the scoreless tie. After Sergio Cubilete (3-5) retired Osiris Johnson for the first out of the first, Isael Soto poked a single over the second baseman, Jesse Medrano, to score Jones and extend Greensboro's lead to 2-0. Will Allen then shot a single past Ben Bengtson at third to bring Soto and Chris Torres home and increase the Grasshoppers' lead to 4-0. Scott worked a bases-loaded walk later in the frame to score Marcos Rivera cap Greensboro's big inning.
In the fourth, Johnson reached on an error by Bengtson and Soto doubled him in to increase Greensboro's lead to 6-0. The Grasshoppers tallied their final two runs in the fifth when Allen homered to push Greensboro ahead 8-1.
The game was completed early after a severe weather delay turned into a heavy rain storm in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Daniel Castano (4-2) was credited with a complete-game victory after tossing six innings and holding the Power (19-24, 56-53) to one run on five hits while striking out five batters.
West Virginia continues its three-game set with the Greensboro Grasshoppers Wednesday evening at First National Bank Field, with first pitch set for 7 p.m. Righty Travis MacGregor (1-4, 3.43 ERA) toes the rubber for the Power, while Greensboro tosses southpaw Sean Guenther (2-1, 5.20 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:40 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at www.wvpower.com and via the TuneIn Radio App and MiLB First Pitch App.
The Power returns home Wednesday, August 15, for the start of a seven-game homestand against the Columbia Fireflies and Charleston River Dogs. The homestand begins with Pets in the Park Night August 15 and ends with a Rock 105 Two for Tuesday August 21. The home stretch is highlighted with a Trevor Hoffman figurine giveaway as a part of the Power's Wheelers Weekend celebration August 18. The first 1,000 fans will receive the figurine, courtesy of Charleston Building and Construction Trades Council. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 7, 2018
- Fireflies Claim Series Opener over Drive on Tuesday - Columbia Fireflies
- Hoppers Zap Power in Storm-Shortened Game - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Drive Defeated by Fireflies on Tuesday Night - Greenville Drive
- Martinez Dazzles in RiverDogs Debut, Suffers Loss to Lakewood - Charleston RiverDogs
- Five-Run First Inning Buries Power in Rain-Shortened Loss - Charleston Dirty Birds
- 'Birds Lambast Braves in Opener - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Seven Run Fourth Inning Leads Delmarva to Win, 11-3 - Rome Emperors
- Phillips K's 13 as 'Dads Shutout Kannapolis - Hickory Crawdads
- Howard, BlueClaws Open Series at Charleston 2-1 Winners - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Hagerstown Doesn't Bring the Sun - Augusta GreenJackets
- Fireflies Roster Move and Game Notes: August 7 vs. Greenville (Game 110) - Columbia Fireflies
- GreenJackets Name 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee - Augusta GreenJackets
- Preview: Hoppers Back at Home - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (August 7) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Former Third-Round Selection Martinez Joins RiverDogs from Staten Island - Charleston RiverDogs
- Columbia Fireflies Homestand Highlights (August 7-13) - Columbia Fireflies
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.
