SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Power wins

Published on August 21, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


Charleston, W.V. - The West Virginia Power rallied to defeat the Lakewood BlueClaws 7-4 on Friday night at Appalachian Power Park. After the Power surrendered four runs in the top of the eighth inning, they scored four times in the home half of the inning and evened up the series with the BlueClaws in the process.

Both starting pitchers were excellent and put up scoreless outings. Yeudy Garcia went six shutout innings for the first time in his career for the Power while Will Morris went five scoreless frames for the BlueClaws. Garcia struck out six batters and gave up four hits in a no-decision.

After Lakewood made a pitching change, the Power offense took advantage. Michael Suchy led off the sixth inning with a double to left and with two outs, Chase Simpson drove Suchy home with a double to right-center.

The Power added two more runs in the seventh inning in unconventional fashion. With the bases loaded and two outs, BlueClaws reliever Jason Zgardowski threw a wild pitch which plated Kevin Newman and also Connor Joe, who crossed after the ball wasn't picked up by the Lakewood defense.

Lakewood scored four runs in the eighth inning to take a 4-3 lead over the Power. With two outs, Jiondido Tromp hit a three-run home run to tie the game off Power closer Nick Neumann. A couple pitches later, Deivi Grullon clubbed a solo homer of his own to give the BlueClaws a 4-3 lead.

West Virginia reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the eighth with four runs. After Pablo Reyes was hit by a pitch for the third time in the series, he stole second and reached third on an error. Reyes had to exit the game because of an injury. Tyler Filliben took over for Reyes at third. Simpson drew a walk to put runners on the corners for Taylor Gushue. The Power catcher laced the first pitch he saw to right-center to plate Filliben and tie the game. With runners on first and second, Elvis Escobar hit a bunt single to load the bases.

Following a pitching change, Kevin Newman grounded a ball to the second baseman Scott Kingery, who threw an errant ball home allowing Chase Simpson to score and give the Power the lead. After Simpson was caught in a tangle with the catcher, Gushue crossed to make it a 6-4 lead. Later in the inning, Michael Suchy hit a sac fly allowing Escobar to score.

Neumann (3-1) received the win despite the blown save while Calvin Rayburn (5-2) suffered the loss.

West Virginia (37-17, 74-49) continues the series with Lakewood (30-24, 63-59) on Friday night. RHP Alex McRae (5-9, 5.20) will take the hill for the Power opposite of BlueClaws RHP Tyler Viza (4-8, 3.53) First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. while pregame on Charleston's ESPN Radio 104.5 FM and 1490, the Power website, and the TuneIn Radio App is slated for 6:45 p.m.

Saturday's game is football night at Appalachian Power Park with an appearance by WVU's Major Harris and Marshall's Michael Payton. The first 1,000 fans to the ballpark on Saturday will receive a backpack cooler courtesy of West Virginia American Water. Game three of the series will also feature an appearance by BirdZerk and postgame fireworks.

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.

Check out the Charleston Dirty Birds Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 21, 2015


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