SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Swaggerty, Mangieri and Kaiser Debut for Power in 5-2 Loss

Published on August 15, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


CHARLESTON, WV - Travis Swaggerty tripled in the first in his first at-bat with the Power, but the offense could not stir much against Zac Grotz and the Fireflies' pitching staff, as West Virginia fell 5-2 to Columbia in the series opener Wednesday night at Appalachian Power Park.

The Pirates' 2018 first-round draft pick finished 1-for-4 with the triple. Meanwhile, Luke Mangieri went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the fifth inning, while Connor Kaiser did not record a hit in three at-bats.

West Virginia (23-27, 60-56) tallied its two runs in the fifth, all starting with a Deon Stafford double off Grotz (2-5). Stafford scored two batters later when Dylan Busby roped a double down the left-field line in his first game back from a rehab assignment with the Bristol Pirates to cut Columbia's lead to 4-1. After reaching on a fielder's choice, Robbie Glendinning came around to score on Mangieri's single to right that closed the Fireflies' edge to 4-2.

Columbia (21-29, 55-62) lit up the scoreboard first in the top of the second inning against Max Kranick (3-5). The Fireflies used four singles to right from Jose Brizuela, Rigoberto Terrazas, Hansel Moreno and David Miranda, with the latter two driving in a pair of runs and giving Columbia a 2-0 lead.

The Fireflies tallied two additional runs before West Virginia could touch the scoreboard, notching one in the fourth and one in the fifth. Terrazas provided the fourth-inning knock with a base hit to left, while Scott Manea smashed his ninth homer of the season to left-center field in the fifth and increased Columbia's lead to 4-0.

Edgardo Fermin put the game away in the eighth after smacking a solo home run to left off Joel Cesar. That was the only hit the Dominican native allowed, however, as he tossed four solid innings of relief, tying his season-high, while wringing up five batters, also a season-best.

West Virginia continues its series with Columbia Thursday night at Appalachian Power Park set for 7:05 p.m. Southpaw Oddy Nunez (0-0, 2.25 ERA) toes the rubber for the Power, while the Fireflies counter with righty Marcel Renteria (3-2, 4.25 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 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.

Tomorrow night is Thirsty Thursday, presented by Rock 105. Fans can enjoy $1.00 12-ounce beverages and $2.00 16-ounce domestic cans at concession stands starting when the gates open at 5:30 p.m. Be sure to come early to enjoy a Happy Hour performance at the Budweiser Dugout Bar from Creeks Don't Rise, with $1.00 12-ounce drafts available for purchase during the show. The home stretch is highlighted by a Trevor Hoffman figurine giveaway as a part of the Power's Wheelers Weekend celebration August 18. The first 1,000 fans will receive the figurine, courtesy of Charleston Building and Construction Trades Council. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 15, 2018


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