Sharpe Goes Deep in West Virginia's 5-2 Loss
June 3, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release
GREENSBORO, NC - Chris Sharpe hit his third home run of the season, but the Power bats were kept in check the rest of the afternoon as West Virginia fell, 5-2, to the Greensboro Grasshoppers at First National Bank Field on Sunday afternoon.
Sharpe's opposite-field homer in the sixth was his first since May 3rd, closing the Power's deficit to 5-1. That was the only blemish on Greensboro (26-28) starter Brandon Miller's (2-4) day, however, as the right-hander tossed six quality innings, allowing just three hits and the one run to score.
Following Sharpe's homer, Oneil Cruz crushed a triple to left-center, but the West Virginia (26-25) bats went quietly after that, stranding Cruz at third and keeping Greensboro's lead at four.
After going 1-for-3 Sunday, Cruz is now hitting .333 in his last 26 games, dating back to May 1. He has 13 extra-base hits and 14 RBI over that stretch.
Power starter Hunter Stratton (1-3) struggled in his third straight start, lasting 4.2 innings and giving up five runs on seven hits.
Greensboro plated two in the first on a wild pitch from Stratton and a RBI single from Marcos Rivera to take a 2-0 lead. In the fifth, the Grasshoppers put the game away with three more runs to push their lead to 5-0. Michael Hernandez scored the first tally off a Thomas Jones sacrifice fly. After that, Jhonny Santos knocked in Will Allen with a double before coming home himself on Micah Brown's line drive single to center.
The bullpen was stellar for West Virginia, as Drew Fischer, who was celebrating his 22nd birthday, spun 1.1 scoreless innings, surrending one hit and fanning a pair. In relief of Fischer, Sergio Cubilete worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning and wiggled his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth to keep the deficit at four.
The Power clawed back within three in the ninth, as Brett Pope walked and Deon Stafford doubled to put runners at second and third with one out. Mason Martin then plated Pope with an RBI groundout, but Travis Neubeck retired Kyle Watson on a fly out to end the game.
Following an off day Monday, the Power return home to face Lexington in a three-day, four-game series at Appalachian Power Park from June 5-7. The series will open with a doubleheader Tuesday, with first pitch set for 5:05 p.m. Both starters for Tuesday's twin bill have yet to be determined. Pregame coverage begins at 4:45 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at www.wvpower.com and via the TuneIn Radio App and MiLB First Pitch App.
West Virginia's first June homestand includes a Rock 105 Two for Tuesday and Thirsty Thursday, as well as a Pets in the Park Night. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.
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