SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power Game Notes

Published on June 12, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


West Virginia Power (20-44) at Lexington Legends (36-27)

Game 65 | June 12, 2012 | Whitaker Bank Ballpark | Lexington, KY

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

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

RH Nick Kingham (1-4, 5.51) vs. RH Nick Tropeano (5-3, 2.82)

Kingham: Allowed 2 R on 4 H with 5 K and 1 BB over 4.1 IP in 6/06 Loss vs. DEL (4-2 Shorebirds)

Tropeano: Allowed 1 R on 5 H with 6 K and 3 BB over 6.0 IP in 6/07 Win @ LWD (4-1 Legends)

POWER REPLAY: West Virginia lost the series opener at Lexington 6-4 last night. The Legends scored three off Power starter Zack Von Rosenberg in the first inning and never trailed from that point on. West Virginia got within one in the fourth inning by scoring three runs on four hits, but could not complete the rally. Von Rosenberg took the loss in his second 2012 start. Dan Gamache and Gregory Polanco had two hits each as the Power lost for the eighth time in the last ten games.

TRENDING SOUTH: The Power are on pace to finish with the lowest winning percentage in any half of a season since the team moved to Appalachian Power Park in 2005. The '05 club went 25-45 in the first half (.357 winning percentage). The second lowest percentage after 70 games belongs to the 2009 Power during the first year as a Pirates affiliate (27-43 (.386)). West Virginia would need to win all six games left on the first half schedule to avoid this distinction.

TOUGH TRAVELS: The Power have six road wins in 34 chances this season (a .176 winning percentage) with two games left away from Charleston in the first half. Since the Power joined the South Atlantic League in 2005, no team in the league has finished with fewer than eight wins on the road in any half of any season. By the end of the first half on Sunday, the Power will have played 36 road games and 34 home contests due to an April 18 rainout at Appalachian Power Park that was made up at Asheville on May 2.

RBI GUY: On Saturday, Willy Garcia became the second Power player this season to drive in four runs in a single game, bringing his team-leading total to 41 over 57 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. Kirk Singer drove in four in his season debut on April 9.

POWER V. LEGENDS: West Virginia has played Lexington more than any other team dating back to the 2005 season. The Power lead the all-time series 74-70, but have only gone 34-37 at Appalachian Power Park against the Legends since the stadium opened. West Virginia holds a 40-33 mark at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. The Power and Legends will meet in Lexington tonight and tomorrow, in Charleston next week to begin the second half, and for a four-game set in Kentucky in August.

THREE STARS HEADED TO ASG: The South Atlantic League announced the 2012 All-Star Game rosters last week 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... An American-Made Energy rally will be held at Appalachian Power Park on Saturday. Gates will open at 2:30 pm and fans in attendance will get free admission to that night's game vs. the Suns.

AROUND THE ORGANIZATION: Pittsburgh was off on Monday and opens a three game series in Baltimore tonight... Indianapolis hammered Rochester 16-0. Justin Wilson and Evan Meek combined to blank the Red Wings on four hits... Altoona was idle on Monday and hosts Trenton tonight... Bradenton was doubled up 10-5 by 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.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 12, 2012


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