SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power Hods Rome at Bay 6-5

Published on June 4, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


(Charleston, WV - June 4, 2015) - On Thursday night the West Virginia Power defeated the Rome Braves 6-5 in the series opener at State Mutual Stadium in Rome, Georgia. Cole Tucker hit his second home run of the season while Taylor Gushue notched his first triple of the year to back Stephen Tarpley.

West Virginia scored the first run of the game in the fourth inning. Connor Joe led off the inning with a single and later scored on an RBI single off the bat of Gushue.

The Power added two more in the fifth. With one out, Tyler Filliben extended his on-base streak to 18 games with a single and scored when Cole Tucker hit a two-run home run to right. The homer was Tucker's second of the season and it gave West Virginia a 3-0 lead.

Rome began to battle back in the fifth by scoring a pair of runs. Justin Black hit a sacrifice fly and Tanner Murphy scored on a wild pitch to bring the Braves to within a run.

In the sixth, the Power tacked on a couple more runs to make the score 5-2. Michael Suchy led off the inning with a single and scored on Gushue's first triple of the season. The catcher scored moments later on an RBI sacrifice fly from Tito Polo.

The Braves responded with two runs in the sixth off reliever Jake Burnette. Burnette walked the bases loaded, surrendered a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3, then walked the next two hitters to make it 5-4.

West Virginia added a run in the seventh to make it a 6-4 ballgame. Joe drew a two-out walk and scored when Jordan Luplow hit an RBI double to left.

In the bottom of the eighth the Braves notched a run to make it a one-run game. With two outs and two men on base, Tanner Krietemeier hit a single to left to score a runner but Jordan Edgerton was tagged out at third trying to go first-to-third.

Stephen Tarpley (3-0) earned the win after he allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over five innings with six strikeouts. Chad Sobotka (1-4) suffered the loss. Nick Neumann earned his eighth save of the season with a perfect ninth while Sam Street and Burnette each earned a hold.

West Virginia (33-21) continues their four-game series with Rome (25-29) with game two on Friday night in Georgia. RHP Alex McRae (3-3, 3.83) will take the mound for the Power and he will be opposed by Rome RHP Max Povse (2-1, 2.21). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. while pregame on Charleston's ESPN Radio 104.5 FM and 1490 AM, www.wvpower.com, and the TuneIn radio app is slated for 6:40 p.m.

When West Virginia returns home on Tuesday they will welcome in the Savannah Sand Gnats for three games followed by the Augusta Greenjackets for four games. Highlighting the next homestand will be Chuck's Birthday on Saturday, June 13 with a headphone giveaway to the first 1,000 fans presented by Renaissance Dental and 98.7 The Beat. That same night will also feature an appearance by the popular ZOOperstars. The homestand kicks off with a Tailgate Tuesday presented by Tailgate 107.3 with happy hour specials from 6 p.m. to the first pitch. Fans can get $2 16 oz. fountain drinks and $2 16 oz. draft specials.

For tickets and additional information, visit www.wvpower.com, call (304) 344-BATS (2287) or stop by the Power box office at 601 Morris Street.

First Half Record 33-21

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 4, 2015


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