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SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Late-Inning Homer Helps Power Outlast Tourists on Friday

April 20, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


CHARLESTON, WV - A quality start from Gavin Wallace and an eighth-inning two-run homer from Oneil Cruz were just enough for the Power to hang on for a 6-5 win over the Asheville Tourists on Friday evening at Appalachian Power Park. West Virginia has now won six of its last seven contests, dating back to April 13 at Hickory.

Wallace (2-0) tossed his second consecutive quality outing, going six innings and allowing three runs on four hits with three strikeouts. Following a solo home run by Ramon Marcelino in the fourth, the Fairfield product set down the final seven men he faced, including the final three in the sixth on just five pitches.

After falling behind 2-0 thanks to a pair of Asheville (3-12) runs in the second, the Power stormed back with four in the third, bringing their third-inning run total for the series to seven runs over the last two games. West Virginia's most productive inning of the 2018 season thus far has netted them 17 runs.

The aforementioned frame started with more production from Calvin Mitchell, who homered to the right in the third yesterday. Today, he rocketed a double off the right field wall to drive in Lolo Sanchez, who reached on a walk to lead off the inning against Asheville starter Will Gaddis (0-1). The Pirates' 2017 second-round pick would later score off a passed ball to tie the game at two. West Virginia (9-6) was not finished yet, however, as Mason Martin plated Deon Stafford with a two-bagger and Cruz drove home Martin with a base hit to center.

Cruz came up clutch again in the eighth with two down, smashing a no-doubt bomb well beyond the wall in right-center to extend the lead to 6-3. The second-year Power player has a team-leading four home runs on the season and has driven in 10 RBI, second-best on the club. He finished the evening 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs scored and his big blast.

Blake Weiman (S, 2) twirled the final three frames to secure his second save, but saw his scoreless innings streak halted at 10.2 as he served up a two-run homer to Sean Bouchard in the ninth that slimmed West Virginia's lead to one. After that home run, the Colorado native beared down and struck out the side, fanning Chad Spanberger, Casey Golden and Marcelino in order to end the game.

West Virginia continues its four-game series against the Asheville Tourists on Saturday afternoon, with first pitch set for 2:05 p.m. at Appalachian Power Park. LHP Braeden Ogle (1-0, 4.00 ERA) heads to the hill against Asheville righty Antonio Santos (0-2, 4.67 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 1:45 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at wvpower.com and via the TuneIn Radio App and the MiLB First Pitch App.

BrewFest CharlieWest III returns to Appalachian Power Park on Saturday, with 21 breweries from around the region featured in this year's festival. The first 1,000 fans ages 21 and older will receive a West Virginia Power pint glass, while all fans can enjoy a postgame concert by Of The Dell. For $30.00, fans will receive a Party Deck ticket to enjoy the game, as well as five craft beer vouchers. Additional vouchers are available on the concourse for $5.00 per voucher. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.

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