Power Game Notes
May 26, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release
Kannapolis Intimidators (20-28) at West Virginia Power (15-34)
Game 50 | May 26, 2012 | Appalachian Power Park | Charleston, WV
Radio: ESPN Radio 104.5 FM & 1490 and wvpower.com Air Time- 6:45 pm
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP
LH Matt Lane (2-0, 3.08) vs. RH Ryan Hafner (0-3, 7.61)
Lane: Allowed 1 R on 2 H with 4 K and 3 BB over 4.1 IP in 5/21-2 Win @ HIC (4-1 Intimidators)
Hafner: Allowed 3 R on 7 H with 2 K and 4 BB over 4.0 IP in 5/21 ND @ LEX (4-3 Power)
POWER REPLAY: West Virginia split a day-night doubleheader with Kannapolis on Friday, winning game one 3-2 and falling in game two by a 12-5 final. In the day game, the Power scored twice in the first and the Intimidators answered with a two-run fourth. West Virginia drove in the game-winning run in the eighth on a single by Willy Garcia to score Francisco Aponte and give Rinku Singh his first win of the year. In the night game, the Intimidators scored at least one run in six different innings, including a five-run eighth to seal the twinbill split. Orlando Castro took the loss last night for West Virginia.
NOT TO BE INTIMIDATED: West Virginia hosts Kannapolis tonight in the final meeting between the teams in Charleston this season. The Intimidators lead the all-time set by a six win margin at 42-36. The Power are 19-21 at home since 2005 and 17-21 in Kannapolis at the stadium now known as CMC-Northeast Stadium (formerly FieldCrest Cannon Stadium).
RELIEVER SWAP: The Pittsburgh Pirates made a roster move for West Virginia earlier today. The Pirates have promoted Vince Payne to the Power bullpen from State College. Payne was added to the Power roster in April and made three appearances spanning six and a third innings pitched with a 12.79 ERA. To make room for Payne on the roster, Pittsburgh transferred Emmanuel De Leon to the Spikes roster. De Leon was 1-3 with a 7.54 ERA over 16 games for the Power this year, his first in the SAL.
DOUBLEHEADER DISH: West Virginia played its second doubleheader of the season yesterday, while Kannapolis played their fourth of the year and third in the last week. The Power played their lone doubleheader prior to Friday on May 2 to make up for an April 18 rainout (a split at Asheville, losing game one 6-3 but winning game two 5-3). The Intimidators lost both games of a doubleheader on April 7 (after an Opening Day washout against the Crawdads) and played twinbills on back-to-back days at Hickory on Monday and Tuesday of this week, splitting each day.
SEASON'S BEST: Matt Benedict pitched seven innings in game one of Friday's doubleheader. It was the longest start by any Power pitcher this season. The previous season-best was six innings, a feat accomplished seven times, including twice by Benedict prior to Friday.
BUSY BODIES: Alen Hanson and Willy Garcia have appeared in 47 games this season, tied with Kannapolis's Mark Haddow for the most by any player in the league. Jose Osuna was held of two games during the recent Lexington series and the day game Friday, but has still played in 44 total. Gregory Polanco has also appeared in nearly every game this season, having played in 44 of 49 possible contests.
PROMO UPDATE- May 26: The Power will host a Redneck Night tonight as part of the Big 12 promotional package. The game will feature an appearance by the World's Strongest Redneck, the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo, and a ceremonial "First Hitch" wedding after the game. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a camouflage Power baseball hat.
POWER POINTS: The Power will host the Lakewood BlueClaws on Monday, May 28. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:05 pm... Fans can vote for the 2012 SAL All-Star game at the West Virginia Power's Facebook page. A new position is being voted on daily until May 31... Mike Jefferson joined Joan Montero as the only Power players to allow three home runs in a single game on Friday night... Chris Lashmet became the first position player to pitch for West Virginia this season. Infielder Kevin Mort made three appearances last year on the mound, the last of which was in August against Greensboro.
AROUND THE ORGANIZATION: Pittsburgh edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 at PNC Park last night. Rod Barajas drove in the game's only run in the second inning... Indianapolis beat Louisville 4-1...Altoona bested Bowie 5-3... Bradenton fell 7-5 at Jupiter.
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.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 26, 2012
- Asheville Continues Road Dominance with 12-2 Win over Rome - Asheville Tourists
- 'Claws, Suns Split Double-Dip - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Karns Mows Down BlueClaws in Game One of Doubleheader Split - Hagerstown Suns
- Pitching Woes Continue, Asheville a 12-2 Winner - Rome Emperors
- Improved Offense Falls Short in 7-4 Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
- Drive Run over RiverDogs in 15-10 Rout - Charleston RiverDogs
- Shorebirds Silenced in 1-0 Loss to Greensboro - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Crawdads Roll to 11-2 Win over Legends - Lexington Legends
- Crawdads Thump Legends with 11-2 Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Hickory Rolls Past Legends 11-2 - Lexington Legends
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Shorebirds Game Notes vs. Greensboro - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Tourists Blast the Braves 11-1; Take over First Place - Asheville Tourists
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
