Power Arms Maintain Hold on First

Published on August 3, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release

The West Virginia Power shut out the Lakewood BlueClaws on Friday night at Appalachian Power Park. Four Power pitchers combined for the team's fourth shutout this season and helped West Virginia stay a game behind Hagerstown for first place.

Power starter Nick Kingham retired the side in the top of the first inning and got an early run of support. In the home half of the inning, Alen Hanson led off with a single and moved to second on a passed ball. With one out, Gregory Polanco singled in Hanson for a 1-0 West Virginia lead.

Kingham (4-7) made that lead stick with six innings of scoreless baseball. The right-hander scattered four hits, struck out five, and did not walk a batter. Ryan Hafner pitched a scoreless seventh and Robbie Kilcrease matched that with a shutout eighth.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Power added a run of support. Elias Diaz singled and moved to second on a bunt single by Hanson. Diaz moved to third on a force play at second. With two outs and runners on the corners, Polanco hit a ground ball to BlueClaws second baseman Alejandro Villalobos. The infielder could not handle the play and was charged with an error that allowed Diaz to score for a 2-0 Power lead.

Nathan Kilcrease allowed two hits in the ninth, but struck out Tim Carver with two outs to end the game. Kilcrease earned his ninth save in nine chances for West Virginia.

Lakewood starter Gabriel Arias (3-5) took the loss after allowing just one run on four hits.

Friday's combined effort was the fourth by the Power pitching staff this season and marked the second time that the club has blanked the BlueClaws this year.

Hagerstown beat Lexington 6-3 Friday on a walk-off grand slam to maintain a one game lead over the Power.

West Virginia and Lakewood will continue this four-game series on Saturday evening at 7:07 pm. Porfirio Lopez will pitch for the Power against the BlueClaws Colin Kleven at Appalachian Power Park.

SECOND HALF RECORD: 23-19

OVERALL RECORD: 46-66

South Atlantic League Stories from August 3, 2012

• T's Snatch Game One from the 'Gnats - Asheville Tourists
• Shorebirds Fall 7-4 in Game One to Greensboro - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Rome wins record 12th straight Kannapolis native Query 2-for-4 with 2 RBI - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Drive Pick-Up Series Opening Win - Greenville Drive
• Skole's Legendary Walk-Off Grand Slam Lifts Suns over Lexington - Hagerstown Suns
• RiverDogs Take Weather Shortened Game 2-1 - Charleston RiverDogs
• Drive Steers by 'Dads, 4-1 - Hickory Crawdads
• Power Arms Maintain Hold on First - Charleston Dirty Birds
• 'Claws Shutout by Power, 2-0 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Charleston Downs GreenJackets in Rain-Shortened Game on Friday - Augusta GreenJackets
• Hickory Metro Sports Commission Selected to Host Great Smokies Basketball Shootout - Hickory Crawdads
• Shorebirds Game Notes: at Greensboro - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Legends Take Third Straight over Asheville, 9-5 - Lexington Legends
• Mayo's Home Woes Continue; T's Fall 9-5 - Asheville Tourists

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