Shenton's Three-Run Homer Not Enough in 5-4 Loss
July 31, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Austin Shenton crushed a three-run homer, but West Virginia could not hold the lead through the middle innings in a 5-4 loss to the Greensboro Grasshoppers Wednesday night at Appalachian Power Park.
After Josias De Los Santos twirled a perfect top of the first, the Power (18-21, 55-54) got on the board in the bottom half. Matt Sanders doubled and Bobby Honeyman worked a two-out walk to set the stage for Shenton. The lefty then demolished a 1-1 pitch over the right-field wall for a three-run homer, thrusting West Virginia ahead 3-0.
It took until the fourth inning for Greensboro (20-18, 64-43) to answer back, as Connor Kaiser stroked an RBI double that scored Jack Herman to tie the game at one. De Los Santos buckled down and wiggled through the rest of the inning without another run, keeping the lead at 3-1. West Virginia notched another run after back-to-back hits from Honeyman and Shenton led off the fourth. Onil Pena then laced a line drive to the first baseman, Luke Mangieri, who made the snag but sailed a throw into left field as he tried to double-up Shenton, letting Honeyman score easily.
The Grasshoppers plated a run in the fifth inning on a Jonah Davis solo homer, and another in the sixth as Logan Rinehart (0-1) spiked a wild pitch in the dirt that allowed Ji-Hwan Bae to score. Greensboro took the lead in the seventh inning on a Bae run-scoring single and a Fabricio Macias sacrifice fly that made it 5-4.
Kyle Hill entered in the eighth inning and retired the first two hitters he faced before the Grasshoppers loaded the bases on a single and two walks. Hill kept the deficit at just one when he struck out Herman to end the inning. The Power order was silenced in four straight frames by Winston Nicacio (1-1), who notched seven strikeouts in his relief appearance and closed out a 5-4 Grasshoppers win.
The Power continues their three-game series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers Thursday evening, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. LHP Nate Fisher (0-0, 7.71 ERA) gets the ball for West Virginia, while Greensboro sends RHP Colin Selby (4-3, 3.04 ERA) to the bump. Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at wvpower.com and via the TuneIn Radio App and MiLB First Pitch App.
West Virginia continues its seven-game homestand Thursday evening with a Rock 105 Thirsty Thursday and First Responder's Night. All first responders can get a free box seat ticket at the Power Box Office, while family members can purchase $5.00 discounted tickets. Additionally, all fans can enjoy $2.00 drink specials throughout the evening. Lastly, if you are attending the Chris Stapleton concert Thursday evening, come Pregame with the Power! All fans who show their concert ticket at the box office can buy a $5.00 ticket to the game and enjoy our Thirsty Thursday specials before heading to the concert.
Some other highlights of the homestand include CAMC Night on Friday, August 2, Back to School Night on Saturday, August 3, and African American Heritage Night on Monday, August 5. The Power will sport special 'Hot Shot' jerseys on Friday that will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the CAMC Foundation and benefiting local causes in the Kanawha Valley. Saturday, the first 1,000 fans can receive a limited edition backpack as a part of Back to School Night, presented by Todd Judy Ford. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit www.wvpower.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 31, 2019
- Tourists Come out Swinging to Open the Homestand - Asheville Tourists
- Smith's Heroics Not Enough, Dogs Fall in Opener - Charleston RiverDogs
- Jackets Open Homestand with Comeback Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Litscher, 'Birds Shut out Drive Again - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Five-Run Third Sends Delmarva Past Greenville - Greenville Drive
- Mendoza Caps off Win with Walk-Off - Hagerstown Suns
- Shenton's Three-Run Homer Not Enough in 5-4 Loss - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Claws Lose Late Lead, Fall 8-7 at Augusta - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Intimidators Quiet in 3-0 Setback - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- RiverDogs Host Online Charity Auction in August - Charleston RiverDogs
- Fireflies Roster Move and Game Notes: July 31 at Kannapolis (Game 105) - Columbia Fireflies
- Hagerstown Suns: Game Notes - Hagerstown Suns
- Homestand #10 Preview: July 31-August 6 - Hagerstown Suns
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