SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power Game Notes

Published on May 20, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


West Virginia Power (13-29) at Greenville Drive (21-20)

Game 43 | May 20, 2012 | Fluor Field | Greenville, SC

Radio: ESPN Radio 104.5 FM & 1490 and wvpower.com Air Time- 3:45 p.m.

TODAY'S MATCHUP

RH Matt Benedict (2-3, 3.14) vs. LH Mickey Pena (3-2, 1.69)

Benedict: Allowed 3 R on 4 H with 3 K and 4 BB over 5.2 IP in 5/15 Loss vs. LEX (3-0 Legends)

Pena: Allowed 1 R on 2 H with 8 K and 3 BB over 6.0 IP in 5/15 Win vs. ASH (8-2 Greenville)

POWER REPLAY: West Virginia dropped a 7-3 decision at Greenville on Saturday evening. The Power held a 2-0 lead after the first inning thanks run-scoring doubles by Carlos Mesa and Jose Osuna. West Virginia lead 3-0 after four innings courtesy a solo home run by Osuna. Nick Kingham faced one batter over the minimum through five and allowed one run over a season-best six innings. In the seventh, the Drive cut the Power lead down to 3-2, and then scored five runs in the eighth inning against Emmanuel De Leon to steal the win.

STREAKY SLIDES: The Power have dropped five straight heading into today's season series finale at Greenville. Of West Virginia's 29 defeats this season, 27 of them have come during some sort of losing streak. The Power lost five straight during the opening road trip of the season, seven in a row from April 16 through 24, three in a row April 27-29, a seven game run from May 5 to 12, and now this five game streak.

STOPPER: Matt Benedict will face the Drive for the second time this season when he toes the rubber today. The right-hander pitched five innings of five hit, one run ball on April 13 in West Virginia's eventual 10 inning win against Greenville. Benedict struck out four and walked one in that no-decision.

MEET FRANCISCO APONTE: The Pittsburgh Pirates added infielder Francisco Aponte to the West Virginia roster on Saturday and sent Jodaneli Carvajal to Extended Spring Training. Aponte played for the GCL Pirates last season, batting .262 over 28 games, after having spent his first three professional seasons in the VSL with Chivacoa. Carvajal was batting .243 over 29 games played with one home run and nine runs batted in for the Power this season.

STOPPED AT 11: Gregory Polanco's hitting streak was snapped at 11 games after going 0-4 with a walk last night. The Power outfielder hit .348 during the streak that started May 5. Polanco had 16 hits in 46 at bats with two home runs and four runs batted in during those 11 games. It is the second longest this season by a Power player, trailing only Alen Hanson's 16-game April streak (the longest in the league so far this season).

DRIVE TIME: West Virginia swept a four game series against Greenville at Appalachian Power Park during the Power's opening homestand of the season in April, and the Drive are looking to return the favor today. The Power now hold a 22-21 edge with one game left this season between the teams. The Power are 9-14 since 2005 at Fluor Field.

PROMO UPDATE- MAY 25: The Power will play a day-night doubleheader on May 25 against Kannapolis. The first game will start at 11:05 am and will be the final Grand Slam School Day of the season. The 7:05 pm nightcap will serve as a Hometown Heros game with a special discounted ticket package available for local law enforcement, fire, and life safety personnel.

POWER POINTS: Thursday's spot starter Orlando Castro became the eighth different starting pitcher used by West Virginia this season (spanning 40 games). The Power used 11 total pitchers in a starting role last season... Jordan Cooper was sent to Extended Spring Training on Friday The right-hander was 1-3 with one save and an 8.38 ERA over 14 appearances... Pittsburgh added two arms to the Power roster on Friday. Clario Perez and Robby Rowland were sent to West Virginia's roster from extended spring.

AROUND THE ORGANIZATION: Pittsburgh edged Detroit 4-3. Andrew McCutchen hit two home runs in a game for the second time this week... Indianapolis score six but lost at Buffalo 11-6... Altoona doubled up Erie 6-3... Bradenton beat Dunedin 3-0. Mel Rojas Jr. hit his first home run of the season in the win.

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 20, 2012


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