SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power Game Notes

Published on July 16, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


West Virginia Power (13-11, 36-58) at Augusta GreenJackets (13-10, 45-47)

Game 95 | July 16, 2012 | Lake Olmstead Stadium | Augusta, GA

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

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

RH Zack Von Rosenberg (2-2, 4.73) vs. LH Edwin Escobar (3-5, 3.70)

Von Rosenberg: Allowed 1 R on 3 H over 2.0 IP with 3 K and 1 BB in 7/10 ND @ ROM (Sspd in 3rd)

Escobar: Allowed 2 R on 6 H with 6 K and 3 BB over 7.0 IP in 7/08 ND @ ASH (3-2 Tourists in 10)

POWER REPLAY: West Virginia fell 4-3 at Augusta on Sunday. The Power struck first with a two- run third inning on a double by Gregory Polanco that plated Elias Diaz and Alen Hanson, but the Jackets answered in the bottom of the inning with two bases loaded walks. West Virginia took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Polanco, but Augusta again responded by taking advantage of another bases loaded walk and a sac fly. The Power had one baserunner after the fifth and could not even the score. Ryan Hafner walked seven and took the loss despite only allowing one hit over five innings.

LEADING THE FIELD: Alen Hanson and Gregory Polanco lead all Pirates minor leaguers in hitting (among those with enough at bats to qualify). Hanson's .329 average tops the list, while Polanco's .318 mark is second. Hanson also leads the system in home runs, while Polanco leads the entire organization with 34 steals and is second among Pittsburgh minor leaguers with 62 runs batted in (Bradenton's Alex Dickerson- 66).

FOUR! West Virginia and Augusta play the third game of their only series this year tonight at Lake Olmstead Stadium. The Power trail 24-18 in the all-time series and have gone 11-19 on the road in the series since 2005.

BASES LOADED BOONDOGGLE: West Virginia pitchers have now walked 17 batters with the bags full this season and hit five (most in the league in both categories). Power pitchers have also allowed six grand slams this year, the most by any team in the league.

#WINNING: West Virginia had seven road wins during the entire first half of the 2012 season (7-29). The Power have already won eight times in 14 chances on the road in the second half and have a three game winning streak entering play tonight, matching their longest stretch of consecutive road wins this season (5/02-2 through 5/04 at Asheville).

OFF TO A GOOD START(ER): In the first half of the 2012 season, Power starting pitchers collected nine of the club's 23 wins. West Virginia's starting pitchers have already earned nine victories in the second half thanks in part to both starters gaining wins in Friday's twinbill at Rome.

ERA LEADER... FOR NOW: Matt Benedict's 3.42 ERA will remain as the club's best until after tonight's game at Augusta. At that point, the right-hander's 76.1 innings pitched will no longer qualify him among the leaders (0.8 IP per team game). Benedict was promoted to Bradenton during the SAL All-Star break.

PROMO CHECK- JULY 19: West Virginia will host Purple Power Night on July 19. The team will wear purple jerseysthat will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting pancreatic cancer research.

POWER POINTS: West Virginia has now hit 65 home runs through 93 games this season. The 2011 club hit 63 over 138 games... A win in any of the next three games will give the Power their first winning road trip this season regardless of length... Power pitchers combined for their first shutout of the 2012 season in Friday's nightcap.

AROUND THE ORGANIZATION: Pittsburgh fell 4-1 at Milwaukee. The Brewers scored all four in the sixth to take the game and the series... Indianapolis edged Columbus 4-3... Altoona was nipped 2-1 at Akron... Bradenton outlasted Clearwater 8-5 in 11 innings. Three different players drove in two runs each... State College lost a tilt with Brooklyn 3-2.

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 July 16, 2012


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