SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Rain, Lightning, Suns Can't Slow Power

Published on July 30, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


HIGHLIGHTS: The West Virginia Power opened an eight-game homestand on Monday evening with a 14-2 win over the Hagerstown Suns. After an hour and twenty-eight minute delay due to rain and lightning, the Power scored five in the first and three in the second to build an overwhelming advantage at Appalachian Power Park.

The tarp was placed on the field prior to the scheduled 7:05 pm first pitch. The game eventually began at 8:32 pm. Zack Dodson retired the Suns in order before allowing his offense to go to work.

With runners on the corners, Jose Osuna hit a ground ball up the middle that could have been an inning-ending double play, but Hagerstown shortstop Cutter Dykstra committed an error, did not get an out, and saw the game's first run cross home. Dan Gamache followed with a base hit to score Gregory Polanco. Willy Garcia tripled in both Osuna and Gamache for a 4-0 lead before scoring on a sacrifice fly.

In the second, Polanco and Garcia each singled with two outs. Gamache singled to center to bring home Polanco. The throw from the outfield went to third and Mat Skole tried to relay it on to second to retire Gamache while attempting to advance on the throw. Skole's throw was wide of second base and allowed both Osuna and Gamache to score for an 8-0 lead.

Dodson pitched well over his six innings of work, allowing just a solo home run in the fourth while striking out four. West Virginia added four runs in the sixth inning, including two on Jose Osuna's 14th home run of the season and ninth this month. No player in the history of the Power franchise had ever hit nine home runs in any month of any season.

The teams traded runs over the final three innings. Garcia hit a solo home run in the seventh, the Suns added their second runin the eighth, and West Virginia capped the offense with a run in the eighth with a sac fly.

Dodson (6-6) garnered the win while Bobby Hansen, Jr. (2-3) took the loss after allowing eight runs on eight hits over five innings. Five Power players had multi-hit games and three had three hits apiece to help West Virginia move in to a three-way tie for first place in the second half standings. The Power, Suns, and Hickory Crawdads all head in to play on Tuesday with 21-17 second half records.

Game two of this four-game series is slated for 7:05 pm on Tuesday night. Robby Rowland and Taylor Jordan are scheduled to start for West Virginia and Hagerstown, respectively, at Appalachian Power Park

SECOND HALF RECORD: 21-17

OVERALL RECORD: 44-64

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 30, 2012


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