SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power Game Notes

Published on May 5, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


West Virginia Power (11-17) at Greensboro Grasshoppers (19-8)

Game 29 | May 5, 2012 | NewBridge Bank Park | Greensboro, NC

Radio: ESPN Radio 104.5 FM & 1490 and wvpower.com Air Time- 6:45 p.m.

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

RH Ryan Hafner (0-2, 13.50) vs. RH Jose Fernandez (3-0, 1.59)

Hafner: Allowed 4 R on 6 H with 0 K and 4 BB over 3.2 IP in 4/29 Loss vs. GBO (9-4 Hoppers)

Fernandez: Allowed 1 R on 7 H with 4 K and 1 BB over 5.1 IP in 4/29 Win @ WVP (9-4 GBO)

POWER REPLAY: West Virginia beat Asheville 8-5 on Friday evening in their series finale. Willy Garcia homered in his second straight game and for the third time in the series; a first inning shot to stake Matt Benedict to some early run support. Carlos Mesa added a three-run home run in the fourth to help extend the edge. Benedict gained the win with five innings of work, allowing three runs, two of which were earned, on seven hits. Robbie Kilcrease pitched the final four innings for his first save of the season. West Virginia took three of four from Asheville during the series.

GOING TO GREENSBORO: West Virginia leads the all-time series with Greensboro 57-40 dating back to 2005, though the Grasshoppers won the 2011 series 10-9. The Power hold a 31-19 edge at home in this series despite two losses last weekend, and also lead 26-21 at NewBridge Bank Park. This series is the final meeting of the first half between these clubs.

REMATCH: Ryan Hafner and Jose Fernandez will face off for the second straight weekend. Greensboro took the April 28 contest by a 9-4 final. The Hoppers beat Hafner by tallying for three runs in the first inning on a home run by Matt Smith and adding another in the third. Fernandez was sharp over the first five innings before allowing two runs, one earned, in the sixth.

WILLY GO YARD AGAIN: Willy Garcia now has five home runs this season and has tied Gregory Polanco for the most on the club. The 19-year old outfielder has knocked three home runs in the last three days spanning four games. Polanco is the only other playerthis season that has hit home runs in back-to-back games, having done it twice (April 11-12 and April 14-15).

TEN DOWN THEN DONE: West Virginia's game two win Wednesday snapped a ten-game road losing streak. The Power had not won a road game since April 6 and are now 4-11 away from Appalachian Power Park this year thanks to three straight victories at Asheville's McCormick Field.

LAUNCHING LONG BALLS AGAIN: West Virginia hitters had knocked 11 home runs over the first 11 games of the season before delving into a homerless drought spanning eight games. Over the last nine, however, the power game has reemerged with eight home runs.

NO DOUBLES: Greg Polanco has appeared in 25 games this season, tied for third most on the club, but has not yet reached in any game on a double. He and catcher Jon Schwind are the only Power position players who don't have a double to their credit yet this season.

PROMO UPDATE- MAY 10: The Power will host their first Thirsty Thursday Concert Series on May 10 at Appalachian Power Park. Rubber Soul, a Beatles tribute band, will perform immediately following West Virginia's series opener against the Charleston RiverDogs.

POWER POINTS: Carlos Mesa is batting .357 after his first week in the SAL. The outfielder has three home runs and eight runs batted in over his first seven games... Dan Gamache's drove in two runs on Thursday marking the first time this season the middle infielder has had multiple RBIs in any game... New Method will perform a post-game concert on May 11 during Faith and Family Night... Former Power pitcher Jameson Taillon was named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week on Monday for his effort from April 23-30 (1-0 over two starts with a 0.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts).

AROUND THE ORGANIZATION: Pittsburgh lost 6-1 in their series opener with Cincinnati. The Reds received a complete game seven-hitter by Johnny Cueto... Indianapolis was doubled up by Norfolk 10-5... Altoona beat Richmond 8-7. Matt Curry and Kelson Brown drove in two runs each... Bradenton was shutout 2-0 at Tampa. Jameson Taillon took the loss after allowing two runs over six innings of work.

ON THE AIR: All 140 West Virginia Power games can be heard on ESPN 104.5 FM and 1490 AM in Charleston, WV, across the state on the Power Radio Network, and online at milb.com. Adam Marco will call the action for each of the 70 home games this season, while the home team will provide coverage while the Power are on the road.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 5, 2012


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