West Virginia Hangs on for 6-4 Series Finale Win
July 9, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release
CHARLESTON, WV - Jesse Medrano's first career MiLB homer ended up marking the difference as West Virginia hung on for a 6-4 win over Hagerstown in the series finale Monday night at Appalachian Power Park.
Medrano launched his home run over the left-field wall, a two-run shot in the fifth, increasing West Virginia's lead to 6-1.
The Power (10-8, 47-37) tallied their first run in the first inning. Ben Bengtson lofted a one-out sacrifice fly in foul territory to the right fielder, Kameron Esthay, that scored Oneil Cruz, who walked to lead off the frame, giving West Virginia a 1-0 lead.
Hagerstown (6-12, 33-53) tied the game at one in the top of the third when Gage Canning, who walked to begin the inning, trotted home on Jake Scudder's 4-6-3 double play.
The lead-off walk continued to haunt Suns starter Brigham Hill (0-3) in the third. He walked Lolo Sanchez, who moved to third on a Cruz groundout and scored on Rodolfo Castro's base hit up the middle, pushing the Power ahead 2-1.
West Virginia tacked on two more runs in the fourth. Medrano was hit by a pitch and eventually came around to score on a Cruz single. Castro reached on an error by the first baseman, Branden Boggetto, in the next at-bat, which scored Cruz to extend the Power's lead 4-1.
Domingo Robles (7-5) earned the win with five solid innings, allowing just one run to score. The southpaw scattered eight hits while striking out five and stranding 10 runners throughout his appearance.
Beau Sulser spun two scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit and striking out a pair of Suns, while Elvis Escobar added a spotless eighth inning as well.
Matt Seelinger finished out the game, despite Hagerstown making it close with a pair of home runs from Yasel Antuna and Alex Dunlap to bring the Suns within two.
Following an off day tomorrow, Max Kranick (1-3, 3.47 ERA) will take the hill for West Virginia in the series opener against the Hickory Crawdads, with first pitch from L.P. Frans Stadium set for 7 p.m. Wednesday night. Hickory has yet to name its starter for the series opener. Pregame coverage begins at 6:40 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 returns home July 14 for a four-game set against the Delmarva Shorebirds at Appalachian Power Park. Saturday is Ryan Switzer bobblehead night. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Ryan Switzer bobblehead, courtesy of Thomas Health System. The Oakland Raider will make an appearance and sign autographs before the game. The homestand also includes a Kidz Sunday Funday and Family Buck Night. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.
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