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SAL1 Lexington Legends

Legends Take Series from Power in Doubleheader Sweep

May 20, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


Ricky Aracena of the Lexington Legends takes a swing
Ricky Aracena of the Lexington Legends takes a swing
(Lexington Legends, Credit: Clinton Riddle)

APPALACHIAN POWER PARK (Charleston, WV) - After having to suspend last night's contest in the second inning due to inclement weather, the Lexington Legends took both games in today's doubleheader facing the West Virginia Power. The Legends won game one, 6-4 and game two, 7-6. Lexington's record now improves to 21-19 for the season while West Virginia drops to 23-17.

For the first game, play resumed in the bottom of the second with Brewer Hicklen on first base, and Lexington trailing by two runs. Dennicher Carrasco sent his fifth home run of the season over the left field wall and the Legends tied the game, 2-2.

In the top of the third, Cal Jones led off the inning with a double to left field then scored on an RBI single by Travis Jones, putting the Legends ahead, 3-2. Jones then swiped second base. MJ Melendez grounded a ball to the first baseman, Kyle Watson, who committed a fielding error, allowing Jones to score and Lexington extended their led, 4-2.

West Virginia's Oneil Cruz homered to right centerfield in the bottom of the third, pulling the Power within one run, 4-3.

In the bottom of the fourth, Rodolfo Castro tied the game with a lead off home run, and the game was tied at four runs each.

In the top of the fifth, Travis Jones blasted his second home run of the season, putting the Legends ahead, 5-4.

The Legends scored their final run in the top of the ninth. Carrasco drew a leadoff walk then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cristian Perez. Ricky Aracena then hit a ground ball to centerfield, allowing Carrasco to score and the Legends held on to the final score of 6-4.

Collin Snider was awarded the win for the Legends, tossing 4.2 innings allowing two runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out five. Evan Piechota was given the loss, throwing 6.2 innings allowing four runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out five. Tyler Zuber recorded his fifth save of the season in his scoreless ninth inning.

In the second game of the day, the Power was sure to get on the board early. Lolo Sanchez drew the lead off walk then stole second base. With Sanchez at second, Calvin Mitchell grounded out to Lexington's second baseman, Julio Gonzalez, allowing Sanchez to advance to third. Then with Oneil Cruz at the plate, Sanchez scored on a balk by the Legends' starting pitcher, Janser Lara. After the first, West Virginia led 1-0.

The Legends plated their first run of the game in the top of the third. Cal Jones ripped a single down the left field line then was able to score on an RBI double to center field by Travis Jones. The game was tied at one run each, after the third.

The Legends broke the game wide open in the top of the fourth. Back-to-back singles by Brewer Hicklen and Dennicher Carrasco put runners on first and second. They were both able to move up a base on a wild pitch by Hunter Stratton. Morales then drew a walk to load the bases. Cal Jones doubled home Hicklen and Carrasco, putting the Legends ahead 3-1, while moving Morales to third. Julio Gonzalez then hit a single past the second baseman, Brett Pope, allowing Morales and Cal Jones to score, furthering Lexington's lead, 5-1. On the play, Gonzalez advanced to third on a throwing error by the Power's second baseman. Travis Jones singled home Gonzalez, and the Legends led 6-1.

Cruz led off the bottom of the fourth with a home run, but the Legends still led 6-2. Mason Martin then was able to reach on a walk then advanced to second on a wild pitch by Lara. Raul Hernandez also drew a walk to put runners at first and second. Ben Bengston then grounded into a force out at second base, allowing Mason to score and the Power pulled within three-runs, 6-3.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Power capitalized on early base runners. Ryan Peurifoy reached on a lead off walk then advanced to second when Martin was hit by a pitch. Raul Hernandez then lined a single to center field, scoring Peurifoy and moving Martin up to third base, while cutting Lexington's lead to two runs. Bengston then singled home Martin, making it a 6-5 ballgame in favor of the Legends. With runners at second and third, Sanchez lined one to Hicklen in right field, allowing Hernandez to score and knotting the game at six runs.

The Legends scored again in the top of the seventh. Gonzalez drew the lead off walk then advanced to second on a single by Perez. MJ Melendez then grounded out to second base, but it allowed both runners to advance a base. Hicklen then hit a ground ball to the shortstop Cruz, but was able to beat out the throw at first while Gonzalez scored and the Legends took the ballgame, 7-6.

The Legends are back in Lexington tomorrow, May 21 at 7:05 p.m. to face the Rome Braves in a four-game series at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

The Legends, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and member of the South Atlantic League, play all home games at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington, Kentucky. For ticket information, call (859) 422-7867 or visit LexingtonLegends.com.

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Images from this story

Ricky Aracena of the Lexington Legends takes a swing
Ricky Aracena of the Lexington Legends takes a swing
(Clinton Riddle)		   



South Atlantic League Stories from May 20, 2018


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