SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power Comeback Falls Short

Published on July 13, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


Augusta, GA (July 13, 2009) - The West Virginia Power plated a pair of runs in the ninth inning of Monday night's game at Lake Olmstead Stadium to take a 2-1 lead over the Augusta GreenJackets but the GreenJackets had the last laugh just a half inning later when Johnny Monell belted a two-run single to give the GreenJackets a 3-2 victory in the first game of the series.

Rudy Owens's scoreless inning streak came to an end at 32 when James Simmons belted a solo homerun in the second inning to give the GreenJackets a 1-0 lead. Before scoring twice in the ninth, West Virginia spoiled a few opportunities to tie the game. Adenson Chourio was on third base with just one out in the third but the Power could not bring him in. They had the bases loaded and just one out in the fourth inning when Erik Huber hit a fly ball to right field which was caught by Simmons, and Simmons threw out Tony Sanchez at home plate in an attempt to tie the game. They also left runners at the corners in the eighth inning.

Starling Marte began the ninth inning for the Power with a bunt single. Augusta's hurler Edwin Quirarte tried to throw Marte out at first base, but threw the ball into right field, allowing Marte to reach third. Jeremy Farrell singled Marte home to tie the game. Farrell moved to second base on Erik Huber's base hit to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Danny Bomback then laid a bunt down on the left side of the infield, where Quirarte picked the ball up, and tried to throw Farrell out at third, but instead threw the ball into left field, allowing Farrell to score the go-ahead run.

The GreenJackets responded quickly in the bottom of the ninth inning. Andy D'Alessio started the inning with a base hit to right field and moved to second base after Ehire Adrianza walked. Simmons, who homered earlier in the contest, dropped a sacrifice bunt to put the tying run at third and the winning run at second. Johnny Monell pinch hit for Matt Klimas, and ripped Diego Moreno's 2-1 pitch into deep left center field to score the winning runs.

Chris Wilson (2-4) struck out the only batter he faced in the ninth inning to get the victory. Diego Moreno (0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing a pair of runs on three hits over two and a third. Rudy Owens started the game for the Power and allowed just a run on six hits over six innings with four strikeouts. The loss marked the first time Owens did not get the victory in a start since June 6th against Kannapolis.

West Virginia fell to 38-48 overall, and 11-5 in the second half after the loss, while the GreenJackets improved to 44-43 overall and 9-9 in the second half after the win. Robbie Grossman extended his on base streak to 28 games, while Jeremy Farrell extended his hitting streak to nine games and his on base streak to 15. Tony Sanchez singled twice, walked and has reached in all nine games with the Power. Starling Marte walked and singled and has reached in all 14 games with the Power. West Virginia was thrown out at home plate three times throughout the contest.

West Virginia will continue the four game series against the Augusta GreenJackets at Lake Olmstead Stadium on Tuesday night. The Power will start right hander Quinton Miller (0-0, 5.00) and the GreenJackets will counter with right hander Kyle Nicholson (4-8, 3.48). The first pitch will be delivered at 7:05 PM.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 13, 2009


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