SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power See Five-Run Lead Evaporate

Published on August 6, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


The West Virginia Power lost 8-5 to the Lakewood BlueClaws on Monday at Appalachian Power Park. The Power built a 5-0 lead after four innings, but allowed two in the fifth and a six-run sixth as the BlueClaws avoided a series sweep.

West Virginia starter Mike Jefferson was perfect through three innings and did not allow a hit until there were two outs in the fourth inning. The Power backed their pitcher with two runs in the third inning on single and two doubles.

In the fourth, Dan Gamache hit a solo home run off Lino Martinez for a 3-0 lead. Francisco Diaz was hit by a pitch and scored on a double by Chris Lashmet. Ashley Ponce followed with a bunt single down the first base line. As Ponce was running down the line, both Martinez and BlueClaws catcher Josh Ludy chased after the ball, Lashmet was waved home to an uncovered plate for what proved to be West Virginia's fifth and final run.

Lakewood plated two against Jefferson in the top of the fifth inning, but the Power starter lasted the inning and left with a 5-2 lead after five. In the top of the sixth, Ryan Hafner took over for West Virginia and allowed back-to-back singles before walking Ludy to load the bases. Brian Pointer singled in one run and a Miguel Alvarez sacrifice fly cut the Power lead down to 5-4. Hafner walked Trey Ford to reload the bases and was removed from the game after recording only one out. Zac Fuesser took over and surrendered a bases clearing triple to Brock Stassi that pushed Lakewood into their first lead of the series at 7-5. Stassi scored on a single to cap the scoring. The BlueClaws totaled six runs on five hit and two walks in the inning.

West Virginia was held to three baserunners over the final four innings.

Hafner (0-9) was charged with theloss and Martinez (6-5) earned the win despite allowing five runs over five innings. Zach Cooper pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save.

The Power finished their eight-game homestand with five wins and head into an off day on Tuesday with at least a share of first place in the South Atlantic League's Northern Division, pending the outcome of other games on Monday. West Virginia will travel to Lexington for a four game series at Whitaker Bank Ballpark starting Wednesday night. The Next Power homestand begins on Monday, August 13, against the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

SECOND HALF RECORD: 25-20

OVERALL RECORD: 48-67

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 6, 2012


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