SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

West Virginia Power: Game Notes (August 2)

Published on August 2, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


West Virginia begins a four-game series against the Augusta GreenJackets this evening at Appalachian Power Park, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. RHP Travis MacGregor (1-3, 3.48 ERA) toes the slab.

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CUBILETE'S QUALITY START SPOILED LATE: Sergio Cubilete tossed his first quality start of the season, but the Fireflies rallied against West Virginia's bullpen to claim a 3-1 win in the series finale Wednesday night at Spirit Communications Park. The Power took an early 1-0 lead in the first on Raul Hernandez's RBI single that scored Oneil Cruz, and Cubilete cruised from there, allowing just one hit through the first five innings. In the sixth, however, Matt Winaker was able to tie the game at one with an RBI groundout. Samuel Reyes entered in the seventh and retired the first batter he faced by striking out Rigoberto Terrazas, but Dionis Paulino then singled with one out before moving to third on a wild pitch. Jose Brizuela lofted a sacrifice fly to plate Paulino and push Columbia in front for good. The Fireflies tacked on an insurance run later in the frame on Hansel Moreno's run-scoring double.

STARTING STRONG: Over West Virginia's last four games, all four starters (Max Kranick, Domingo Robles, Hunter Stratton and Cubilete) have gone at least five innings and did not surrender more than one run or four hits. In these last four starts, the Power staff has allowed a total of three runs on 11 hits over 24 innings pitched with 14 strikeouts, good for a 1.13 ERA. Here's a look at their recent performances:

Sunday, July 29 vs. Asheville: Kranick - 6 IP, 1H, 0R, 3K

Monday, July 30 at Columbia: Robles - 7 IP, 4H, 1R, 2K

Tuesday, July 31 at Columbia: Stratton - 5 IP, 3H, 1R, 3K

Wednesday, August 1 at Columbia: Cubilete - 6 IP, 3H, 1R, 3K

ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END: Columbia's pair of runs in Wednesday's seventh inning against Reyes snapped a streak of 18 consecutive frames where West Virginia's relief corps had not given up a run. Beau Sulser, Matt Seelinger, Oddy Nunez, Elvis Escobar, Drew Fischer and Joel Cesar all contributed to the relief corps' stellar run over that five-game stretch. Entering Friday's series opener with Asheville, the Power pen had posted a 5.10 ERA over their first 32 second-half contests. With that five-game surge, the bullpen's second half ERA is down to 4.41.

MITCHELL RETURNING TO FORM: After slumping for a majority of July, Calvin Mitchell has started to find his stroke again. The Pirates' 10th-best prospect per MLB.com has reached safely in each of his last 13 games, while recording a hit in eight of his last 10. Over those last 13 games, Mitchell is averaging .310 (13-for-42) with three RBI.

CRIKEY, THAT'S GOOD STUFF MATE: Robbie Glendinning has been a very solid addition since joining the Power July 19 from the West Virginia Black Bears. In the 11 games since his promotion, the Australian native is averaging .306 (11-for-36) with a home run and five RBI, as well as three multi-hit games over his last six starts. In those last six contests, Glendinning is boasting a .375 (9-for-24) stroke with a home run, five RBI and three runs scored.

MCRAE MAKES MLB DEBUT: Alex McRae made his MLB debut last night for the Pittsburgh Pirates, tossing three innings and allowing one run on three hits while striking out three in the Buccos' 9-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. McRae became the 71st former Power player to play in the big leagues Wednesday night, as well as the sixth to debut this season, joining right-handers Clay Holmes, Colten Brewer, Nick Kingham and Tanner Anderson, as well as outfielder Austin Meadows. McRae spent all of 2015 with West Virginia, going 8-9 with a 4.98 ERA in 27 starts.

A MONTH TO FORGET: The month of July was not a pleasant one for West Virginia. The club finished 10-18, tied with Columbia for the worst winning percentage in the SAL in July (.357). The Power's .233 July average was fourth-worst in the league, while their 4.21 ERA was third-highest. West Virginia's 12 homers tied for 11th in the SAL, while its 4.2 runs per game finished ninth-best. The Power pitching staff struck out 209 batters, tied for 10th-most in the league, while their relief corps only locked down a league-worst two saves. West Virginia did finish in the top five in stolen bases, however, swiping 27 bags in the month, tied for fourth-best.

DON'T STOP BELIEVING: Despite the Power's 10-18 mark in July, history gives this team plenty of optimism. A year ago, West Virginia went 13-15 in July and still kept themselves in postseason contention by claiming 22 of their final 34 games, which included a 19-10 record in August. The Power has 31 games left in the 2018 regular season.

POWER POINTS: West Virginia is 29-28 in games decided by two runs or less... The Power went 1-for-5 with RISP.

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