Power Game Notes
July 11, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release
West Virginia Power (9-9, 32-56) at Rome Braves (16-6, 30-58)
Games 89 & 90 | July 11, 2012 | State Mutual Stadium | Rome, GA
Radio: ESPN Radio 104.5 FM & 1490 and wvpower.com Air Time- 4:45 p.m.
TONIGHT'S MATCHUPS
Resumption: TBD vs. LH Fabian Williamson (0-1, 3.12)
Game Two: RH Nick Kingham (1-6, 5.86) vs. RH Greg Ross (2-6, 5.51)
POWER REPLAY: West Virginia and Rome had their game suspended by rain last night in the third inning with a 6-1 Power lead. West Virginia scored six times in the first inning and knocked Braves' starter David Filak from the game after just six batters. The Power capitalized on three hits and four walks in the inning. Action will resume tonight at 5 pm in the top of the third inning. The resumed game will play out to the full nine innings before the team's play Wednesday's regularly scheduled game in a doubleheader-style, seven inning fashion.
VICTORY! Saturday night's Power win last night guaranteed a series win over the BlueClaws. West Virginia has now won four series in 24 chances this year.
ROME IF YOU WANT TO: West Virginia and Rome continue their first series since 2010 tonight. Since 2005, the Power only played the Braves 24 times; the fewest games between West Virginia and any other South Atlantic League opponent. Rome leads the all-time series 13-11 and this four game set marks the only games between the clubs this season. In 2010, the Power and Braves met eight time in late August and early September, splitting a home/ road set 4-4.
DUH DAH DUH: Power pitchers have allowed six grand slams this year, the most by any team in the league. With the bases loaded against them, West Virginia pitchers have walked 14 batters and hit five (most in the league in both categories). Power pitchers have also faced more bases loaded at bats than any other team (110) in the South Atlantic League.
SIETE! Elias Diaz is riding his longest hitting streak this season. The Power backstop is batting .333 over a seven game hitting streak that includes two home runs and six runs batted in. Diaz also had his first multi-RBI game this season during the Lakewood series. He drove in two runs Friday night. Diaz now has 15 runs batted in over 62 games this year after having driven in 45 over 90 2011 contests. Diaz drove in multiple runs in 13 different games while spending all of last season with the Power.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: In 2011, Power pitchers walked 337 batters over the 138 games. So far this season, West Virginia pitchers have walked 338 batters through 88 games (3.8 per game) and are on pace to issue 538 free passes. The league record is well out of reach at 883 (Charleston, SC in 1978).
MORE QUALITY: One night after Zack Dodson's fifth quality start of the year, Robby Rowland notched his fifth as well on Saturday. In 88 games, Power starting pitchers have totaled six or more innings 19 times with a 13-6 record in those starts. Not once this season has a pitcher gone six or more and not had a quality start.
PROMO CHECK- JULY 19: West Virginia will host PurplePower Night on July 19. The team will wear purple jerseys that will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting pancreatic cancer research.
POWER POINTS: West Virginia has hit 63 home runs through 88 games this season. The 2011 club hit 63 over 138 games... Wednesday's holiday crowd was 4,564, surpassing Opening Day (3,900) for the largest home attendance figure this year and the biggest at Appalachian Power Park since May 31, 2011 (5,570).
AROUND THE ORGANIZATION: Pittsburgh is idle during the All-Star Break and will open the second half at Milwaukee on Friday... Indianapolis is off during the Triple-A All-Star break... Altoona is off until Thursday for the Eastern League All-Star Game... Bradenton did not play Tuesday and takes on at home Brevard County tonight... State College was off on Tuesday and hosts Staten Island tonight.
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 July 11, 2012
- Stevenson's Blast Keys 9-3 Win for Charleston - Charleston RiverDogs
- Shorebirds Drop Game Two 5-3 to Sand Gnats - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Eighth Inning Rally Drives 4-2 Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Drive Drop Second Straight to GreenJackets, 4-2 - Greenville Drive
- Braves Split Doubleheader - Rome Emperors
- Suns Come Alive Late, Jump Grasshoppers 4-3 - Hagerstown Suns
- DeShields HR Sends Legends to 3-2 Win - Lexington Legends
- Souza, Jr. Named SAL Player of the Week - Hagerstown Suns
- It Is Okay to Drink on Our Beach - Charleston RiverDogs
- DeShields HR Sends Legends to 3-2 Win - Lexington Legends
- Franco Carries Claws to 9-3 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Crawdads Fall in Wednesday Matinee in Lakewood - Hickory Crawdads
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Legends' Homestand Continues with Christmas in July, Denny McLain, Splash Day and More - Lexington Legends
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.
