SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power win third straight

Published on May 31, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


Greensboro, NC - The West Virginia Power matched their season long winning streak with their third consecutive one-run victory over the Greensboro Grasshoppers at NewBridge Bank Park on Saturday night, topping the ‘Hoppers 6-5 and will have a chance to go for the sweep on Sunday.

Caleb Gindl and Curt Rindal ripped back-to-back RBI singles with two outs in the top of the first inning to give West Virginia an early lead. Matt Cline's sacrifice fly plated David Fonseca in the second to make it a 3-0 Power advantage. Mike Stanton hit a solo homer in the bottom of the second to put the Grasshoppers on the board. Steffan Wilson and Caleb Gindl hit back-to-back solo homers to begin the third inning for West Virginia. Matt Dominguez doubled in a run with two outs in the bottom of the third to bring the Grasshoppers within three.

Eric Farris smacked a one out triple in the fourth inning and scored West Virginia's final run on a wild pitch. Justin Jacobs hit Greensboro's second homer of the game in the bottom of the inning to make it a 6-3 contest before Matt Dominguez blasted a two-run shot in the fifth to bring the Grasshoppers within a run. The Grasshoppers stranded three over the final five innings against Roque Mercedes and Rob Bryson.

Mercedes (2-4) earned the victory in his first relief appearance of the season, allowing no runs over an inning and two-thirds. Bryson (2) struck out three and retired all seven batters he faced to get the save. Kyle Kaminska (2-2) suffered the loss, giving up six runs on eight hits over five innings of work. Dan Merklinger tied his longest outing of the season, going four and two-thirds, allowing five runs on five hits with six strikeouts but didn't go long enough to factor into the decision.

The Power improved to 22-32 with the win and the Grasshoppers fell to 28-27 with the loss. The victory improved West Virginia's record to 6-9 in one-run games, doubling their victories in games decided by one run going into the series. West Virginia is now 19-7 all time at NewBridge Bank Park and 15-15 on the road. Every Power player struck out at least once. They struck out 16 times, establishing a new season high. Gindl and Lee Haydel paced the Power with two hits a piece.

The Power will finish the four game series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers at NewBridge Bank Park on Sunday evening. Right hander Evan Anundsen (3-4, 4.21) will get the start for the Power and the Grasshoppers will counter with right hander Alejandro Sanabia (0-1, 5.63). The first pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

For more information contact the Power Front Offices at (304) 344-2287 or visit the Power website at www.wvpower.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 31, 2008


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