SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power Take First with 8-4 Victory

Published on August 5, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


The West Virginia Power edged the Lakewood BlueClaws 8-4 Sunday afternoon at Appalachian Power Park. West Virginia won its' third straight game and regained sole possession of first place in the South Atlantic League's Northern Division with the victory and a Hagerstown loss.

West Virginia scored two runs in the second and two runs in the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. In the second, Jose Osuna doubled in Dan Gamache to start the scoring. Osuna then crossed on a passed ball for a 2-0 lead. In the fourth, Willy Garcia hit a home run to left field with Gregory Polanco on the bases to extend the advantage. It was Garcia's 13th home run this season and provided more support for Power starter Robby Rowland.

Rowland pitched six shutout innings before the Claws cracked the scoreboard. The right-hander faced the minimum in each of the first four innings and only saw four batters both the fifth and sixth innings. In the seventh, Lakewood got back-to-back home runs by Kelly Dugan and Maikel Franco to halve the deficit at 4-2. Robbie Kilcrease replaced Rowland and retired the next three batters to end the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth, West Virginia extended the lead with four runs. Francisco Diaz doubled and moved to third on a ground out. Ashley Ponce laid down a squeeze bunt with Diaz breaking for the plate. Diaz scored as the only play was on to first as the Power scored what would prove to be an important insurance run. Three straight base hits, including a triple by Gamache, and a run-scoring balk finished off the Power outburst for an 8-2 lead after eight innings.

Lakewood added two runs in the ninth to end the scoring. In 27 innings during this series, the Power have limited the BlueClaws to five runs on 22 hits.

Rowland (7-3) earned the win while Nathan Kilcrease pitched the final inning and two-thirds for his 10th save. Moises Rivas (2-2) allowed the first four runs over four innings and took the loss for Lakewood. Four different West Virginia players had two hits each to help the Power win their third straight and secure a winning homestand with five victories over seven games with one remaining Monday evening.

West Virginia's win moved the Power a game in front of Hagerstown entering play Monday evening. It is only the second day this season the Power have had sole possession of first place in the Northern Division.

The Power will try to complete the series sweep on Monday at 7:05 pm. Mike Jefferson will pitch for West Virginia against Lakewood's Lino Martinez.

SECOND HALF RECORD: 25-19

OVERALL RECORD: 48-66

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 5, 2012


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