SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power Game Notes

Published on June 10, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


West Virginia Power (20-42) at Asheville Tourists (42-20)

Game 63 | June 10, 2012 | McCormick Field | Asheville, NC

Radio: ESPN Radio 104.5 FM & 1490 and wvpower.com Air Time- 1:45 pm

TODAY'S MATCHUP

RH Matt Benedict (4-3, 2.93) vs. RH Chris Jensen (5-2, 5.55)

Benedict: Allowed 3 R on 4 H with 4 K and 2 BB over 5.2 IP in 6/04 Win vs. DEL (5-4 Power)

Jensen: Surrendered 5 R on 6 H with 2 K and 2 BB over 5.1 IP in 6/03 ND vs. AUG (9-8 Tourists)

POWER REPLAY: West Virginia used two four-run innings to beat Asheville 9-5 on Saturday. The Power plated four in the first off starter Alex Gillingham on four hits and a walk. Leading 4-3 after six, West Virginia scored four runs in the seventh to advance the lead, including a three-run home run by Willy Garcia. Robbie Rowland pitched five innings to earn his second win for the Power and Mike Jefferson tossed the final four innings for his first save of 2012.

RBI GUY: On Saturday, Willy Garcia became the second Power player this season to drive infour runs in a single game, bringing his team-leading total to 41 over 56 games played. Dan Grovatt led West Virginia in 2011 with 67 runs batted in over 131 games. Aaron Baker drove in 79 in 125 games in 2010, and Quincy Latimore lead the 2009 team with 70 in 118 games. Garcia is on pace to play 126 games this season and drive in 92 runs.

SEE YOU LATER: West Virginia and Asheville's meeting this afternoon is the final matchup during the 2012 regular season. The Tourists have won seven of 11 so far and hold a 36-27 mark against the Power all-time. West Virginia is 14-16 at McCormick Field since 2005. The Power have played 17 percent of their first half schedule against Asheville.

NOTHING HAS BEEN DECIDED YET: After this series in Asheville concludes, the Power travel to Lexington for a three game set and then return home for a four game series against Hagerstown to end the first half of the season. Prior to action today, the Legends are six and a half games back in the Southern Division with eight gamesleft (including a four game set against the division leading Tourists). Hagerstown sits a game and a half back of Greensboro in the Northern Division with eight contests left.

LONG ONE: Friday night's game was the longest that West Virginia has played this season, both in time (3:31) and innings (11). Until last night, a 9-8 loss at Charleston on April 19 was the longest game of the year; a nine-inning game clocking in at three hours and 18 minutes. The Power had gone to extra inning(s) four times this year before Friday, but had never played more than one additional frame.

THREE STARS HEADED TO ASG: The South Atlantic League announced the 2012 All-Star Game rosters on Tuesday and three Power players were selected, including two starters. Alen Hanson will start at second base despite the fact that he has not played there once this season, while Gregory Polanco was selected to start in right field. Like Hanson, Polanco has not played the position he is starting in at all this season. Matt Benedict was chosen as one of the 11 pitchers to represent the Northern Division team in the game to be played at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park in Charleston, SC, on July 19.

PROMO UPDATE- JUNE 15: West Virginia will hold Pink Power Night on June 15 against the Hagerstown Suns. The team will don pink jerseys that will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the Komen for the Cure Foundation.

POWER POINTS: West Virginia has six road wins this season. Four of them are at Asheville's McCormick Field... Gregory Polanco's nine game hitting streak ended with an 0-6 performance on Friday. The outfielder hit .471 over his nine game streak with 16 hits over 34 at bats...

AROUND THE ORGANIZATION: Pittsburgh scored five runs in the fourth innings in a 5-3 win over Kansas City at PNC Park... Indianapolis was shutout 2-0 by Rochester... Altoona lost 2-1 in 10 innings at Akron on a walk-off home run by Nick Weglarz... Bradenton lost 13-5 to Jupiter. Gerrit Cole made the start but did not factor in the decision for the Marauders.

ONTHE 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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