Power Doubled up by Lexington in Series Opener
May 29, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release
LEXINGTON, KY - Despite a four-run comeback in the fifth, West Virginia was unable to hold off Lexington's offense in the series opener Tuesday evening at Whitaker Bank Ballpark, as the Legends exploded for 12 runs, including six unanswered, on 13 hits to take a 12-6 win over the Power.
With the game tied at six in the sixth, Lexington (27-22) tagged West Virginia starter Domingo Robles (3-4) for three runs, forcing him from the game after 5.1 innings and ending his consecutive quality start streak at four. In total, the lefty allowed nine runs (five earned) on 10 hits and struck out five.
After the Legends scored three in the sixth on a pair of RBI singles from Cristian Perez and Travis Jones and a force out from MJ Melendez, they added three more in the seventh against Ike Schlabach. Marten Gasparini brought in the first run after he reached on a throwing error by Oneil Cruz. The next batter, Perez, singled in Gasparini before Ricky Aracena doubled him home on a two-bagger to center to put the game out of reach.
The Power (25-23) struck first in the second inning, as Ben Bengtson and Lolo Sanchez stroked back-to-back RBI singles to put West Virginia up 2-0.
Lexington roared right back though, cutting the lead in half on Seuly Matias' 14th home run of the season in the second before Jones pushed the Legends in front, 3-2, in the third, with a two-run jack. Two groundouts and a fielding error made the score 6-2 Lexington after four.
Trailing by four in the fifth, the Power came alive against Legends starter Carlos Hernandez, as Sanchez cranked his second home run of the season to left-center field to close the gap to 6-3. Cruz then smoked a single to center before moving to third on an errant throw from Melendez on a pickoff attempt. He later scored on a wild pitch from Hernandez to slim the defict to 6-4. Rodolfo Castro followed that with a bloop single to center before Calvin Mitchell blistered a double to right-center that scored Castro to make it a one-run game. Two batters, later, Brett Pope singled in Mitchell to tie the score at six.
In the loss, Pope went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, extending his hitting streak to seven games, during which he is averaging .500 (11-for-22) with a home run and four RBI.
Tad Ratliff (1-0) earned his first MiLB win in relief, as the righty spun 2.1 scoreless frames and held West Virginia to two hits and a walk.
The Power continues their three-game series with the Legends Wednesday afternoon at Whitaker Bank Ballpark, with first pitch set for 1:05 p.m. RHP Gavin Wallace (3-0, 3.86 ERA) is on the bump for West Virginia, while Lexington counters with LHP Garrett Davila (3-1, 3.50 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 12:45 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at www.wvpower.com and via the TuneIn Radio App and MiLB First Pitch App.
Following their six-game road swing, the Power return home to face Lexington in a three-game set at Appalachian Power Park from June 5-7. West Virginia's first June homestand includes a Rock 105 Two for Tuesday and Thirsty Thursday, as well as a Pets in the Park Night. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 29, 2018
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