SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power Can't Push across Run in 1-0 Loss

Published on April 27, 2013 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


(Savannah, GA- April 27, 2013)- The West Virginia Power lost 1-0 to the Savannah Sand Gnats on Saturday evening at Grayson Stadium. The Sand Gnats scored the game's only run in the fifth and staved off two late inning challenges by the Power.

Orlando Castro and Rainy Lara started for West Virginia and Savannah, respectively. Lara surrendered two base hits over the first five innings and set the West Virginia offense down in order three times. Over the first four innings, Castro allowed just four base runners on three hits and a hit batter. Twice, however, the Power defense erased runners with double plays.

In the home half of the fifth, Stefan Sabol led off with a single and moved to third on a base it by Eucary De La Cruz. Phillip Evans grounded into a fielder's choice to bring home the game's only run.

West Virginiathreatened in the eighth and ninth innings, but were not able to even the score. In the eighth the Power got back-to-back base hits and put the tying run into scoring position. Bret Mitchell relieved Lara and induced a double play from Raul Fortunato to end the inning. In the ninth, Walker Gourley singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Mitchell struck out the next two batters to end the game.

Castro (2-2) allowed the lone run on six hits over six and two-thirds. Lara (3-1) garnered the win with seven and a third of five-hit ball. Mitchell recorded the final five outs for his second save. Both starts were the longest by any pitcher for their respective clubs this season. Saturday evening's game was completed in one hour and 56 minutes and utilized just five batters more than the minimum combined.

West Virginia sends John Kuchno to the hill in a Sunday matinee against Savannah's Matt Koch. Sunday's first pitch is slated for 2:05 pm. The Power return to Appalachian Power Park on May 1 to open a seven-game, eight-day homestand against the Greensboro Grasshoppers and Greenville Drive.

OVERALL RECORD: 9-14

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 27, 2013


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