SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Five-run frame not enough in Power loss

Published on May 19, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


Lakewood, NJ (May 19, 2008) - The West Virginia Power had a 5-1 lead after an inning and a half of Monday night's game against the BlueClaws at First Energy Park, but Lakewood scored nine unanswered runs the rest of the way and defeated the Power 10-5.

Michael Taylor smacked a two-out RBI single in the first to give Lakewood an early lead. In the second, the Power sent ten batters to the plate and scored five times to take the lead. Scott Houin singled in Zelous Wheeler to tie the game and Lee Haydel reached on Mike Durant's error which allowed Caleb Gindl to score, giving the Power the lead. Eric Farris singled in a pair of runs and Haydel scored on a passed ball to finish the inning. Lakewood scored three times in the bottom of the inning to cut the deficit to one. Roque Mercedes's throwing error allowed Karl Bolt to score with two outs and Derrick Mitchell's double plated the final two runs.

Lakewood took the lead in the third inning on a two-run homer from Durant and never looked back. They added three runs in the fifth inning. Bolt blasted an RBI double before Freddy Galvis ripped an RBI single and Durant scored on a wild pitch. Travis Mattair plated the final run of the contest, driving in Bolt on a groundout.

Ben Pfinsgraff (1-2) provided four and two thirds scoreless innings of relief for Lakewood, allowing just a hit and struck out four to get the victory. Roque Mercedes (1-3) allowed nine runs, six earned on seven hits over four and two thirds and was tagged with the loss.

The Power fell to 16-26 with the loss and the BlueClaws improved to 21-23 with the win. Three Power players had multi-hit games including Caleb Gindl who went 3-for-4 with three singles. Eight players reached safely for West Virginia.

The Power will begin a five game series against the Lake County Captains at Classic Park in Eastlake, Ohio on Tuesday night. Left-Hander Dan Merklinger (0-3, 7.00) will get the start for the Power and the Captains will counter with left hander Kelvin De La Cruz (3-2, 1.77). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

For more information contact the Power Front Offices at (304) 344-2287 or visit the Power website at www.wvpower.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 19, 2008


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