Lakewood BlueClaws (7-7) at West Virginia Power (7-7)
Game 15 | April 20, 2017 | Appalachian Power Park | Charleston, WV
Radio: The Jock 1300 & 1340 - wvpower.com    Airtime: 6:45 P.M.

PITCHING MATCH-UP
LH Ranger Suarez (0-0, 2.16) vs. LH Cam Vieaux (0-0, 1.74)
Suarez: Pitched four shutout innings in 4/14 ND vs. GBO with 7 K and 4 BB (9-0 BlueClaws)
Vieaux: Allowed 1 R on 5 H over 6.0 IP in 4/15 ND @ LEX with 4 K & 1 BB (3-2 Power)

 

LEADING OFF: West Virginia completed a three-game series sweep in Hickory with an 8-5 win over the Crawdads. The Power opened the scoring with two runs in the first and added another on a Stephen Alemais home run in the second; his first long ball of the season. Hickory scored four against Luis Escobar in the bottom of the second inning, including two on a home run by Yeyson Yrizarri. West Virginia regained the lead for good with two in the fifth on a single and an error. Alemais hit his second home run of the night with one down in the sixth before the Power scored once in the eighth and once in the ninth. Hickory plated the game’s final run in the bottom of the ninth before their comeback fizzled. Escobar struck out nine over five and two-thirds for the win.

 

SURGING: Heading into play on Thursday, West Virginia has won six straight and evened its record out at 7-7 after a 6-1 road trip. The Power left Charleston with an offense hitting a league-worst .219 and come back with a league best .286 average, a league-high 17 home runs and 79 runs scored, good enough for third-most in the SAL.

OSUNA RECALLED: On Tuesday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates recalled outfielder Jose Osuna from Triple-A Indianapolis and he made his Major League debut as a pinch hitter last night, grounding into a double play in his only at bat. Osuna played first base for West Virginia in 2012, batting .280 with 16 home runs and 72 runs batted in over 126 games. He becomes the 59th former Power player to reach the Majors and second in the last week. Osuna was recalled when Starling Marte was placed on the restricted list.

 

STREAK SHOW: Ty Moore went 1-4 on Wednesday and extended his hitting streak to nine straight; each game he has played this season. The outfielder’s streak is the longest by a West Virginia Player this season and second longest in the league behind a ten-game run from Rome’s Randy Ventura. Logan Ratledge has hit safely in eight straight while Stephen Alemais and Sandy Santos have both hit safely in six in a row.

 

MATCH GAME: The 19 runs scored matched the most by West Virginia in a single game during the Pirates affiliation, which dates back to 2009. The Power plated 19 in a game at Appalachian Power Park on June 1, 2016, against the Lakewood BlueClaws. The Brewers-affiliated Power scored a franchise record 24 runs in a game against the then-Pittsburgh affiliated Crawdads on June 12, 2007, in Hickory.

 

BRING ON THE BLUECLAWS: West Virginia opens its first of three 2017 series against Lakewood this evening. The Power hold the all-time series lead with 95 wins over 178 games and have gone 57-44 at Appalachian Power Park. This set marks the only first half meeting between the divisional opponents. West Virginia and Lakewood play six times during the final four weeks of the season.

 

POWER POINTS: 22 hits by West Virginia is a new single-game high for any game during the Pittsburgh Pirates era in West Virginia. Prior to Monday, the club’s high water mark was 21 hits, done twice, but not since 2012. It also ties for third most in a single Power game since 2005... Seven different Power batters had multiple hits on Monday night, seven scored multiple runs and seven drove in at least two runs.... Shane Carle was recalled by the Colorado Rockies on Friday and optioned out on Monday without appearing in a Major League game. Carle pitched for the Power in 2014 and was traded to Colorado after the season...

 

AROUND THE ORGANIZATION: Pittsburgh fell 2-1 to St. Louis again on Wednesday, the third straight 2-1 loss to the Cardinals as the completed a series sweep... Indianapolis held off Durham 8-5. Max Moroff hit his fifth home run of the season... Altoona pounded Erie 8-3. Sean Keselica earned the win backing JT Brubaker... Clearwater slipped past Bradenton 3-2. Mitch Keller allowed two runs and took the loss.

 

PROMO PREVIEW: On Saturday, April 22, the first 1,000 fans through the gate at Appalachian Power Park will receive a 97.5 WQBE Rabbit bobblehead giveaway. Gates will open at 1:00 P.M. for the 2:05 game against the Lakewood BlueClaws.

 

ON THE AIR: West Virginia Power games can be heard on The Jock 1300 & 1340 AM in the Kanawha Valley, online at wvpower.com and on the TuneIn Radio App. Adam Marco will call the action and will be joined by Steve Granado when the team plays at Appalachian Power Park.

 

Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame

Seeks Nominations

Committee solicits nominations from the public by May 19

 

CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame once again is seeking nominations for the Class of 2017.

 

The Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame is located inside Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, and since its inaugural Class of 2003, has inducted 44 former players, teams, coaches, broadcasters, executives, and more that have been instrumental in the development of the game in the city of Charleston.

 

An advisory committee consisting of knowledgeable and local volunteers was created to come up with names as potential nominees.  Fans select via ballot three candidates while the committee selects two.  Ballots will be available online at www.riverdogs.com and at Riley Park during RiverDogs home games. Once an individual or team has been nominated, there is no need to re-submit.

 

The maximum of three individuals/teams that receive the most votes will be inducted into the Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame during ceremonies prior to the Friday, August 4 RiverDogs game against the Greenville Drive at 7:05pm.

 

Originally designed for professional players who played for local professional teams, the Hall of Fame 11 years ago was adjusted to include amateurs and teams, in addition to those who played in the major leagues.

 

The Class of 2016 included local broadcaster Ted Byrne, College of Charleston standouts Chris Campbell and Nick Chigges, former mayor Joe Riley, Jr., and legendary promoter Mike Veeck.

 

To nominate an individual or a team for consideration in 2017, please forward appropriate support information to The Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame, c/o Charleston RiverDogs, PO Box 20849, Charleston, SC  29413.  The deadline for submissions is May 19.

RiverDogs tickets, including options for the all-new Riley Park Club, are now available and can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com. Those that can’t make it to the park can follow every pitch of the RiverDogs season on WTMA 1250 AM in the tri-county area or by streaming online at riverdogs.com and the TuneIn Radio App by searching “RiverDogs.”

CHARLESTON BASEBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

 

2016 – Ted Byrne

            Chris Campbell

            Nick Chigges

            Joe Riley, Jr.

            Mike Veeck

 

2015 – Pete Ayoub

            John Chalus

            Lee Curtis

 

2014 – Reese Havens

            David Hoffman

            Billy Swails, Jr.

 

2013 – Steven Jackson

Drew Meyer

            Britt Reames

 

2012 – Gettys Glaze

            Tom Hatley

            John Rhodes

 

2011 – Bill Ackerman

            Roberto Alomar

            Mike Kimbrell

 

2010 – Lee Glaze

Fred Jordan

D.K. Walters

Kenny Wilkinson

 

2009 – John Dodds, Jr.

            W.S. “Bull” Durham

            Donald Morillo

            Doug Pounder

 

2008 – Bryce Florie

            Danny Jones

            Charley Smith

            Richard Wieters

 

2007 – 1955 Cannon Street YMCA All-Star Team

            1990 Citadel World Series Team

            Anthony Jenkins

Modie Risher

 

2006 – Ty Cline

            Mike Cook

            Gary McJunkin

            Chal Port

 

2005 – John Candelaria

 

2004 – David Cone

 

2003 – Willie Randolph

Gorman Thomas

West Virginia Power (6-7) at Hickory Crawdads (5-8)
Game 14 | April 19, 2017 | L.P. Frans Stadium | Hickory, NC
Radio: The Jock 1300 & 1340 - wvpower.com     Airtime: 5:45 P.M.

 

PITCHING MATCH-UP
RH Luis Escobar (1-0, 1.64) vs. RH Jonathan Hernandez (0-1, 6.00)
Escobar: Allowed 1 R on 5 H over 6.0 IP in 4/14 Win @ LEX w/ 11 K and 0 BB (5-1 Power)
Hernandez: Allowed 1 R on 3 H over 4.0 IP in 4/12 ND @ COL w/ 6 K & 1 BB (4-2 Crawdads)

 

LEADING OFF: West Virginia topped Hickory 8-3 on Tuesday evening. After three innings of scoreless ball, the Power broke through with a run in the fourth when Stephen Alemais tripled and scored on a Demarcus Evans wild pitch. West Virginia added three in the fifth on a Hunter Owen single and Carlos Munoz’s two-run home run. After the Crawdads broke up the shutout without a hit in the bottom of the fifth, West Virginia scored four more for an 8-1 lead in the sixth. Sandy Santos, Logan Ratledge, Ty Moore and Munoz each drove in one to extend the lead. Hickory plated one in the sixth and one in the seventh to close the gap, but would not score again. Blake Cederlind earned the win and Evans was charged with the loss as the Power clinched the series with one game to go.

 

SURGING: Over the first ten games of the season, the Power scored 31 runs and held a 3-7 record. Over the last three games, the club has scored 40 times. No Pirates-affiliated Power club has scored more runs in a three-game stretch than the 2017 edition over the last three days. The previous high was 31 during the 2009 season.

 

OSUNA RECALLED: On Tuesday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates recalled outfielder Jose Osuna from Triple-A Indianapolis and he made his Major League debut as a pinch hitter last night, grounding into a double play in his only at bat. Osuna played first base for West Virginia in 2012, batting .280 with 16 home runs and 72 runs batted in over 126 games. He becomes the 59th former Power player to reach the Majors and second in the last five days. Osuna was recalled when Starling Marte was placed on the restricted list.

 

MATCH GAME: The 19 runs scored matched the most by West Virginia in a single game during the Pirates affiliation, which dates back to 2009. The Power plated 19 in a game at Appalachian Power Park on June 1, 2016, against the Lakewood BlueClaws. The Brewers-affiliated Power scored a franchise record 24 runs in a game against the then-Pittsburgh affiliated Crawdads on June 12, 2007, in Hickory.

 

ALL-TIME HIGH: 22 hits by West Virginia is a new single-game high for any game during the Pittsburgh Pirates era in West Virginia. Prior to Monday, the club’s high water mark was 21 hits, done twice, but not since 2012. It also ties for third most in a single Power game since 2005.

 

FAMILIAR TERRITORY: West Virginia continues its only 2017 series in Hickory this evening. The Crawdads lead the all-time set 60-58 and hold the edge at L.P. Frans Stadium 35-27. Pittsburgh was affiliated with Hickory from 1999 to 2008 and 27 of the Power’s wins in the all-time series came as a Brewers affiliate against the Pirates club from 2005 through 2008.

 

POWER POINTS: Seven different Power batters had multiple hits on Monday night, seven scored multiple runs and seven drove in at least two runs.... Willy Garcia was called up on Friday by the Chicago White Sox and made his Major League debut against the Minnesota Twins. The outfielder is the 58th former Power player to reach the Majors and the first this season... Shane Carle was recalled by the Colorado Rockies on Friday and optioned out on Monday without appearing in a Major League game. Carle pitched for the Power in 2014 and was traded to Colorado after the season... Starling Marte was removed from candidacy for the Charleston Baseball Wall of Fame induction voting on Tuesday after his suspension for performance enhancing drug use.

 

AROUND THE ORGANIZATION: Pittsburgh lost its second straight 2-1 final at St. Louis. The Buccos lost despite out-hitting the Cardinals 11-4... Indianapolis lost 6-5 to Durham in 11 innings. Joey Terdoslavich drove in three in defeat... Altoona doubled up Erie 6-3. Tate Scioneaux earned the win in relief of Alex McRae... Bradenton lost 4-2 to Clearwater.

 

PROMO PREVIEW: On Saturday, April 22, the first 1,000 fans through the gate at Appalachian Power Park will receive a 97.5 WQBE Rabbit bobblehead giveaway. Gates will open at 1:00 P.M. for the 2:05 game against the Lakewood BlueClaws.

 

ON THE AIR: West Virginia Power games can be heard on The Jock 1300 & 1340 AM in the Kanawha Valley, online at wvpower.com and on the TuneIn Radio App. Adam Marco will call the action and will be joined by Steve Granado when the team plays at Appalachian Power Park.

 

Comeback Falls Short as RiverDogs Drop Rubber Match in Augusta

Charleston drops two in a row for the first time as Augusta steals finale of road trip

 

AUGUSTA, GA– First baseman Brandon Wagner went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI in the fifth that brought Charleston within two, but the RiverDogs dropped their second in a row by a 5-3 final to Augusta to end their first road trip of the season at Lake Olmstead Stadium on Wednesday.

Charleston’s defense committed a season-high five errors to run their league-leading total up to 33 on the year through 14 games. The RiverDogs (8-6) finish out the weeklong stint away from The Joe going 3-4.

 

Up early for a 10:35am first pitch on Education Day at the park, Charleston found themselves behind in an early hole when Augusta (5-9) scratched out a run in the second on a two-out RBI knock by former Coastal Carolina product Anthony Marks who drove in two on the day including a run-scoring single in the second.

 

The RiverDogs wasted no time tying this up by plating a run in the third. After Diego Castillo and Estevan Florial drew walks back-to-back to lead off, Hoy Park struck out and Angel Aguilar stroked a single to left to drive in his team-leading 11^th of the season that evened it at one apiece.

 

Augusta reclaimed the lead in the third, taking advantage of three RiverDogs errors to score a pair. Second baseman Kelvin Beltre reached on a routine roller to short and was driven in two batters later by first baseman Frandy De la Rosa who doubled to dead center to give the GreenJackets a 2-1 lead. After Manuel Geraldo flew out, Brandon Van Horn hit a chopper to second that was misplayed by Park who then fired it wide of first for a pair of errors that made it 3-1 Augusta.

 

In the fourth, Augusta stretched out to their biggest lead of the game, 5-1. Ashford Fulmer’s infield single was extended by a throwing error by Charleston’s starter, Freicer Perez, on a bunt attempt, and the Augusta left fielder would eventually score on a sac fly from Marks. Skyler Ewing made it a four-run lead later in the inning with a run-scoring triple launched to deep left-center.

 

Perez (0-1) went four innings before being relieved by Phillip Diehl. The lanky right-hander allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits with three strikeouts and three walks to take the loss. Diehl kept Charleston in the ballgame by turning in four shutout innings to lower his ERA to 3.00.

 

The RiverDogs made it a two-run ballgame in the fifth when Wagner drove in one on a base hit to right-center that was mishandled for a fielding error on Fabian to allow a second run to score, but Charleston’s rally would come up short.

 

The Hopewell, N.J. native, Wagner, is now hitting .317 (11-for-37) on the season after collecting a hit in nine of his first 11 games with Charleston.

Right-hander Jose Morel (1-0) worked 2.1 innings out of the bullpen, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits to pick up the win for Augusta who took the final two games of the series.

 

Upcoming

The RiverDogs return home for a four-game homestand at The Joe, taking on Asheville from April 20-23 starting on Thursday night. The RiverDogs will send out RHP Jio Orozco (0-1, 7.27) who will be opposed by Tourists RHP Alejandro Requena (0-0, 0.73) with the first pitch slated for 7:05pm.

 

The game will be broadcast on WTMA 1250 AM as well as online streaming on riverdogs.com and the TuneIn Radio app under the “Charleston RiverDogs” station. It’s “Legalize Marinara” Night at The Joe as the RiverDogs haul in over 100 gallons of the substance to the ballpark for a night of poignant debate and sudden hunger. The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a bag of oregano if they can file past the waves of protestors.

RiverDogs Let Early Lead Slip in Loss to Augusta

Kelvin Beltre drives in two to rally GreenJackets past Charleston

 

AUGUSTA, GA– For the first time this season, the RiverDogs let a lead slip as the Augusta GreenJackets rallied to score three unanswered runs to take game two, 3-2, and even up the series with Charleston on Tuesday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

 

GreenJackets (4-9) designated hitter Kelvin Beltre was a thorn in the side of the RiverDogs (8-5) all night long. The No. 20 prospect in the Giants farm system went 2-for-2, reached base three times including a triple, and drove in both the tying and go-ahead runs in the ballgame.

 

The RiverDogs took a 2-0 lead to start, first adding a single tally in the opening frame. Diego Castillo reached on an error by third baseman Manuel Geraldo, moved up on a double by center fielder Estevan Florial, and scored as Angel Aguilar grounded out to short to collect his 10^th RBI of the season to match the team high.

 

In the fourth, first baseman Brandon Wagner drew a one out walk and right fielder Isiah Gilliam brought him home on the next play with a double ripped to right to put Charleston out to a 2-0 lead.

RiverDogs starter Albert Abreu rolled through his first three innings before running into trouble in the fourth and fifth. Save for a triple that nearly left the park off the bat of Beltre in the first, he faced the minimum through three before hitting a batter and walking the next to put two on with nobody out. Abreu would weasel out of the jam, but couldn’t duplicate the feat in the following frame after second baseman Frandy De la Rosa singled and catcher Zach Bowers was hit by a pitch to put two on with nobody out for the second consecutive inning. A double play on the next play nearly got the right-hander out Scott free, but former Coastal Carolina outfielder Anthony Marks followed with base hit to right and a wild pitch on strikeout forced in the first run for Augusta. Beltre pulled the GreenJackets even with an RBI single to left field.

 

In the seventh, Beltre again did the damage, bringing home a leadoff walk, Brandon Van Horn, on a sacrifice fly to right field that gave Augusta a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.

David Sosebee (0-1) pitched well, but took the loss. The former Georgia Bulldog turned in three innings, allowing one run, with three strikeouts and a walk.

 

GreenJackets lefty Cameron Avila-Leeper (1-1) turned in three shutout innings out of the pen to earn the win. Charleston had won all eight previous games they held a lead in and were 3-0 after scoring first.

 

Upcoming

The RiverDogs finish out the series with Augusta in a Wednesday morning contest on Education Day at Lake Olmstead Stadium. Charleston will send RHP Freicer Perez (0-0, 8.44) to the toe the rubber against Augusta RHP D.J. Myers (0-2, 6.48). First pitch is set for 10:35am. The game will be broadcast exclusively online at riverdogs.com and the TuneIn Radio app under the “Charleston RiverDogs” station. The RiverDogs return home for a four-game series against Asheville from April 20-23 at The Joe.

SHOREBIRDS WALLOP HOPPERS TO CLINCH FIRST SERIES
Delmarva scores nine unanswered in middle innings for 13-3 win

SALISBURY, MD - In their largest win by margin of the season, the Delmarva Shorebirds used nine unanswered runs to bury the Greensboro Grasshoppers 13-3 on Tuesday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

The Shorebirds (6-7) struck early for the second consecutive night, scoring twice in the bottom of the first. Ryan McKenna led off with a walk and went to second on a balk. Chris Clare singed him to third, and Collin Woody’s sac fly plated McKenna. Cole Billingsley followed with a single of his own to score Clare and make it 2-0.

The Grasshoppers (7-6) struck back immediately as Branden Berry slashed a two-run homer to left to tie it. Delmarva countered with two more in the bottom of the second as Alejandro Juvier scored on a pair of wild pitches and Jake Ring tallied his league-leading 16th RBI on a two-out single. Justin Twine’s sac fly in the top of the third got Greensboro within one at 4-3, but Delmarva would turn on the jets soon after.

Daniel Fajardo cranked his first home run of the season, a leadoff scorcher down the left field line, to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. In the fifth, the Shorebirds loaded the bases with nobody out, but could only manage one run on Alejandro Juvier’s sac fly to make it 6-3.

Delmarva would not waste another opportunity like that, loading the bases again with nobody out in the sixth. Clare rolled a cue ball down the first base line that ate up Colby Lusignan, bringing home a run on an error. Woody followed with a bloop single to left, scoring two. After a lineout and a pitching change, Preston Palmeiro made it a five-spot in the inning, shooting a double over the fist base bag and into the corner to score two and make it 11-3.

The Shorebirds upped their lead into double digits in the bottom of the seventh as Woody and Billingsley notched back-to-back two-out RBI singles.

Woody led the way at the plate for the ‘Birds, going 2-for-2 with a run and four RBIs. He was also hit by the pitch twice, upping his SAL-leading total to seven. Clare finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and four runs.

McKenna went 2-for-3 with a double and three runs scored. He saved the game defensively for the Shorebirds with two on in the top of the fourth, robbing Jarett Rindfleisch of extra bases with a dead-sprint, backhanded, over-the-shoulder catch in left center.

Francisco Jiménez (2-0) picked up the win in relief of starter Matthias Dietz, who allowed three runs in a career-best four innings. Jiménez tossed three scoreless no-hit innings, walking two and striking out one. Jake Bray handled the final two innings, allowing one hit and striking out five for the win.

Alex Mateo (0-2) took the loss for Greensboro, his second in as many starts against Delmarva, giving up six runs on seven hits in four-plus innings.

With a series win in their pockets, the Shorebirds go for the series sweep against the Grasshoppers on Wednesday night. Lefty Travis Seabrooke (1-1, 6.35) faces righthander Dustin Beggs (1-1, 3.00). First pitch is 7:05 p.m. with gates opening an hour before first pitch. Wednesday is the first Silver Sluggers game of the season, presented by Coastal Home Care. Pregame coverage on Fox Sports AM 960 and the MiLB First Pitch app begins at 6:50 p.m. with Will DeBoer on the call.

Delmarva Shorebirds
----------------------------
The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class “A” Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, LLC, the same company that owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League.

The Shorebirds are celebrating their 22nd season in 2017 and have entertained nearly five million fans since beginning play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland in 1996. The team captured South Atlantic League titles in 1997 and 2000 and successfully hosted the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 1999 and 2011.

West Virginia Power (5-7) at Hickory Crawdads (5-7)
Game 13 | April 18, 2017 | L.P. Frans Stadium | Hickory, NC
Radio: The Jock 1300 & 1340 - wvpower.com      Airtime: 5:45 P.M.
PITCHING MATCH-UP
LH Oddy Nunez (0-2, 10.50) vs. RH Demarcus Evans (0-1, 6.00)
Nunez: Surrendered 6 R (2 ER) on 9 H over 3.0 IP in 4/13 Loss @ LEX w/ 3 K (14-5 Legends)
Evans: Pitched two innings of scoreless relief on 4/11 @ COL w/ 4 K & 2 BB (5-1 Crawdads)

 

LEADING OFF: West Virginia hammered Hickory 19-3 on Monday night. The Crawdads took a 1-0 lead in the first, but the Power answered with two-run home runs by Arden Pabst and Logan Ratledge in the second for a 4-1 edge. That advantage was extended to eight runs in the third on a bases loaded walk and an Alexis Bastardo grand slam; the first of his career. West Virginia scored two in the fourth, one in the fifth and added two more in the sixth on a Sandy Santos home run. After Hickory plated two in the bottom of the sixth, the Power slammed the door with five more runs in the eighth, including a bases loaded double by Carlos Munoz. James Marvel earned his first win with five innings of work. Argenis Rodriguez took the loss for the Crawdads after surrendering the first eight runs.

 

7-7-7: Seven different Power batters had multiple hits on Monday night, seven scored multiple runs and seven drove in at least two runs. All nine players had at least one hit for the second straight day and third time during the Power’s four game winning streak.

 

MATCH GAME: The 19 runs scored matched the most by West Virginia in a single game during the Pirates affiliation, which dates back to 2009. The Power plated 19 in a game at Appalachian Power Park on June 1, 2016, against the Lakewood BlueClaws. The Brewers-affiliated Power scored a franchise record 24 runs in a game against the then-Pittsburgh affiliated Crawdads on June 12, 2007, in Hickory.

 

RISING TO THE TOP: Since the road trip began on Thursday, the Power are batting .354 and have raised their team average from last in the league at .219 to third at .281. The team has also hit 10 home runs during the five game stretch.

 

ALL-TIME HIGH: 22 hits by West Virginia is a new single-game high for any game during the Pittsburgh Pirates era in West Virginia. Prior to Monday, the club’s high water mark was 21 hits, done twice, but not since 2012. It also ties for third most in a single Power game since 2005.

 

FAMILIAR TERRITORY: West Virginia continues its only 2017 series in Hickory this evening. The Crawdads lead the all-time set 60-58 and hold the edge at L.P. Frans Stadium 35-27. Pittsburgh was affiliated with Hickory from 1999 to 2008 and 27 of the Power’s wins in the all-time series came as a Brewers affiliate against the Pirates club from 2005 through 2008.

 

DIVISION RIVALS? West Virginia plays 59 games against fellow South Atlantic League Northern Division opponents this season and 81 against teams from the Southern Division. The next six games are all against Northern Division opponents; two more in Hickory and four at home against Lakewood. West Virginia only plays 24 of 70 first half games against teams from their own division.

 

POWER POINTS: Kevin Mahala was the only Power player who had seen action in all 11 games this season before getting Monday off... Willy Garcia was called up on Friday by the Chicago White Sox and made his Major League debut against the Minnesota Twins. The outfielder is the 58th former Power player to reach the Majors and the first this season... Shane Carle was recalled by the Colorado Rockies on Friday, but has yet to make his Major League debut. Carle was initially picked by the Pirates in the 10th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft and pitched for West Virginia in 2014.

 

AROUND THE ORGANIZATION: Pittsburgh’s three game winning streak was snapped with a 2-1 loss at St. Louis. Gregory Polanco’s pinch hit double in the eighth drive in the Pirates only run... Indianapolis was idle on Monday and hosts Durham tonight... Altoona lost 7-1 against Erie. Yeudy Garcia allowed the first five runs and took the loss... Bradenton snapped its three-game slide with a 5-1 win over Clearwater. Mitchell Tolman drove in a pair.

 

PROMO PREVIEW: On Saturday, April 22, the first 1,000 fans through the gate at Appalachian Power Park will receive a 97.5 WQBE Rabbit bobblehead giveaway. Gates will open at 1:00 P.M. for the 2:05 game.

 

ON THE AIR: West Virginia Power games can be heard on The Jock 1300 & 1340 AM in the Kanawha Valley, online at wvpower.com and on the TuneIn Radio App. Adam Marco will call the action and will be joined by Steve Granado when the team plays at Appalachian Power Park.

RiverDogs Hope to Legalize Marinara, Set Silliest World Record in Upcoming Homestand

Legalize Marinara Night, String Night highlight four-day weekend at The Joe

 

CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston RiverDogs will go for a world record and won’t budge until marinara is declared a legal substance as they welcome the Asheville Tourists from April 20-23 for a four-game series at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

 

The long weekend will kick off on Thursday with “Legalize Marinara” Night as the RiverDogs host a night of poignant discussion while serving up over 100 gallons of marinara for their alarmingly hungry fans crowding into The Joe on a Budweiser Thirsty Thursday. Friday will feature a Home Telecom fireworks postgame extravaganza to the music of the 90’s, and Saturday will feature a night dedicated to all things string, including Charleston fans going for the world record of the largest simultaneous blast of silly string. An MUSC Health Family Sunday in the Holy City will round out the brief home stint on Charlie’s birthday.

 

Thursday, April 20, 7:05pm: Legalize Marinara Night/Budweiser Thirsty Thursday: Protesters are rumored to already be organizing as the RiverDogs open the homestand hosting a night of poignant debate and sudden hunger. It’s “Legalize Marinara” Night at The Joe where the club will highlight the benefits of marinara, (yes, you read that right), while serving up over 100 gallons of marinara sauce that will be on hand at The Joe. It’s also a Budweiser Thirsty Thursday presented by 95SX featuring dollar beers in the revamped and expanded Budweiser Ashley View Pub. DJ Natty Heavy will be spinning the chiller stylings of Phish, Bob Marley, and the Grateful Dead.

 

Friday, April 21, 7:05pm: Red Shirt Friday/Home Telecom Fireworks/90’s Night: Lace up your Air Jordans, slip on your mood ring, and pack some flannel on 90’s Night at The Joe. Reflect on your own mortality as you come to grips with the fact that the 1990s are now considered “retro” as the RiverDogs play the best tunes from the decade all night long, including during a postgame fireworks extravaganza presented by Home Telecom. As part of a Red Shirt Friday, the RiverDogs will wear specialty red uniforms to honor our military in partnership with Apex Broadcasting and Live 5 News. Fans who wear red to the game receive $1 off their ticket purchase at the gate with the option to donate that dollar to the Palmetto Military Support Group.

 

Saturday, April 22, 6:05pm: String Night/Saturdays Live at The Joe: Charleston goes for a world record as RiverDogs fans come together for the largest simultaneous blast of silly string canisters during the night’s contest against the Asheville Tourists. It’s also a string lover’s dream in a night dedicated to string cheese, string instruments, string theory, and more as part of Saturdays Live at The Joe presented by NASH FM and Fox 24. Select RiverDogs players will also be available for pregame autographs each Saturday.

WATCH: Dave TV: RiverDogs Go For World's Largest Silly String Fight Saturday

 

Sunday, April 22, 5:05pm: Charlie’s Birthday/MUSC Health Family Sunday in the Holy City: Come celebrate Charlie T. RiverDog’s birthday with all of his mascot friends on an MUSC Health Family Sunday in the Holy City as the RiverDogs don their specialty Holy City pinstriped uniforms on an evening of family fun. In partnership with Y102.5, the RiverDogs offer free parking while members of the MUSC Children's Health Kids Club (12 and under) gain free admission, eat free, play pregame catch on the field, and run the bases postgame.

 

RiverDogs tickets, including options for the all-new Riley Park Club, are now available and can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com. Those that can’t make it to the park can follow every pitch of the RiverDogs season on WTMA 1250 AM in the tri-county area or by streaming online at riverdogs.com and the TuneIn Radio App by searching “RiverDogs.”

 

CLARE, RING LEAD SHOREBIRDS IN SERIES-OPENING WIN
Four-run sixth lifts ‘Birds, 9-5

SALISBURY, MD - The Delmarva Shorebirds scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth, all with two outs, on the way to a 9-5 win over the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Monday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

With the game tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth, Chris Clare and Alejandro Juvier led off with singles for the Shorebirds (5-7). After a strikeout and flyout, Ryan McKenna slashed a single to left to score Clare. Jake Ring followed with a groundball through the right side to plate Juvier. On the next pitch, Chris Shaw belted a double that one-hopped the wall in left center, scoring two more and giving Delmarva an 8-4 lead.

The Grasshoppers (7-5) got one back in the top of the seventh. Garvis Lara led off with a walk and Aaron Knapp took his place on a fielder’s choice. After a strikeout, Dalton Wheat beat out an infield single, sending Knapp to third. Colby Lusignan hit a comebacker, but Woody at first base dropped the throw and Knapp came in to score, making it 8-5 Shorebirds.

Delmarva pushed the lead back to four in the bottom of the eighth as Clare rolled a two-out single to left that deflected off the third baseman and shortstop, allowing Ring to score from second and give the game its final margin. Pitcher Kory Groves then worked around a single and walk in the top of the ninth, inducing a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.

Steven Klimek (1-0) earned his first win in relief, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits in the sixth and seventh frames. Travis Neubeck (0-1) took the loss after giving up the four-spot in the sixth.

The Shorebirds jumped in front in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs and Ring second, Collin Woody dropped a single to right to bring him around. Cole Billingsley singled to put two on, and Clare scrapped a base hit to bring Woody around and make it 2-0.

Delmarva added another in the third as Billingsley singled with two outs, stole second, and scored on a Clare single to center.

Greensboro got all three back in the top of the fourth. Wheat legged out an infield single, and Lusignan blasted a ball deep to center that deflected off a sprinting McKenna, scoring Wheat. Branden Berry’s base hit scored Lusignan, then after another single and a sac bunt, Corey Bird hit a comebacker that deflected to short for an infield single, scoring Berry to tie the game.

Ring gave the Shorebirds another lead in the bottom of the fifth with a towering home run down the right field line, the first Perdue Stadium round-tripper for Delmarva this year. Jarett Rindfleisch responded for the Grasshoppers in the sixth with a line drive homer to left, setting up the big bottom of the frame for the home side.

Clare led the way at the plate for the ‘Birds, going 5-for-5 with a run and three RBIs. Fresh off a South Atlantic League Player of the Week nod, Ring went 2-for-3 with a homer, two RBIs, four runs, and a stolen base. Billingsley and Juvier each had two hits.

Wheat finished 3-for-4 with a run to lead the Grasshoppers.

Neither starter factored into the decision. Delmarva’s Zach Muckinhirn gave up three runs on six hits in five innings, walking his first two of the year and striking out two. Jordan Holloway went five innings of four-run, seven hit ball for the Grasshoppers.

The Shorebirds and Grasshoppers play game two of three at Perdue Stadium on Tueday night. Matthias Dietz (0-1, 15.88) will start for Delmarva against Greensboro’s Alex Mateo (0-1, 7.45). First pitch is 7:05 p.m. with gates opening an hour before first pitch. Tuesday is McDonald’s Two for Tuesday, featuring buy one, get one free upper reserved seats with the presentation of a McDonald’s receipt. Pregame coverage on Fox Sports AM 960 and the MiLB First Pitch app begins at 6:50 p.m. with Will DeBoer on the call.

Green Fans Career-High, RiverDogs Swat

GreenJackets in Opener

Eight RiverDogs all collect hits as offense continues torrid pace to start season

 

AUGUSTA, GA– Following a night in which they were shutout, Charleston got right back into their offensive groove on their second stop of a road trip. Eight RiverDogs collected hits and starter Nick Green racked up eight punch outs as Charleston cruised to a 7-2 victory over the Augusta GreenJackets to start a three-game series on Monday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

After falling behind 1-0 after the first, catcher Donny Sands pulled Charleston (8-4) even with an RBI knock to right field that scored center fielder Blake Rutherford who led off the second with a walk.

 The RiverDogs took their first lead of the game in the fourth by adding a pair. Charleston’s first three hitters all cracked doubles starting with Rutherford who hammered a line drive to right field before swiping third and scoring on a wild pitch to make it 2-1 RiverDogs. Donny Sands hit a flair shot to right that fell in for a hit, but was thrown out trying to stretch it to a triple. Brandon Wagner lined one to the left-center gap before coming around to score on a passed ball by Augusta (3-9) catcher Will Albertson.

The RiverDogs made it 4-1 in the fifth when Diego Castillo grounded out to third to score Hoy Jun Park for an RBI. The RiverDogs shortstop led off with a single before being brought home by Castillo who was the only RiverDog without a hit, but found a way to contribute.

 

Augusta added a single tally in the fifth, but Charleston broke the ballgame wide open in the eighth, adding three runs on four straight one out hits to stretch their advantage to 7-2. After Wagner and Oswaldo Cabrera singled, Isiah Gilliam mashed a double down the left field line to plate two. Carlos Vidal drove in another with a base hit to left.

 

Green (W, 1-2, 5.56 ERA) was at times erratic, but had his strikeout stuff going. The Fountain, Colo. native’s eight strikeouts was a career-high as he pitched around five walks, also a career-high, in his five innings of work. The right-hander pleaded his case to stay on with the bases loaded in the fifth, and after yielding a run on a wild pitch, struck out left fielder Ryan Kirby to set himself up for his first win of the season. He yielded two runs, one earned, on just two hits.

 

Stephen Woods, Jr. took the loss in his second start of the season, both against the RiverDogs, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits with a pair of punch outs.

 

Kolton Mahoney and Anyelo Gomez combined to work four scoreless innings out of the bullpen as Gomez tallied his second save of the season.

 

Upcoming

The RiverDogs continue the continue the series with the GreenJackets in game two tomorrow night. Charleston will send RHP Albert Abreu (1-0, 0.93) in game one to face LHP Domenic Mazza (0-2, 10.80). The first pitch is set for 7:05pm on Tuesday night. The RiverDogs return home for a four-game series against Asheville from April 20-23 at The Joe.

 

RiverDogs tickets, including options for the all-new Riley Park Club, are now available and can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com. Those that can’t make it to the park can follow every pitch of the RiverDogs season on WTMA 1250 AM in the tri-county area or by streaming online at riverdogs.com and the TuneIn Radio App by searching “RiverDogs.”

JAKE RING NAMED SAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Outfielder hits .421, leads league in half-dozen stats

SALISBURY, MD - After a sizzling start to the 2017 season, the Delmarva Shorebirds are pleased to announce that outfielder Jake Ring has won the first South Atlantic League Player of the Week award for the week-and-a-half of April 6 through 16.

The 22-year-old from Ingleside, Ill. batted .421/.450/.842 over his first nine games, going 16-for-38 with 7 doubles, 3 triples, a home run, 13 RBIs, and 7 runs. Ring currently leads the SAL in doubles, triples, RBIs, extra-base hits (11), total bases (32), slugging, and OPS (1.292). He also notched two outfield assists from right field.

Ring came up clutch for the Shorebirds on April 11 in Greensboro, belting a game-tying double in the top of the ninth inning. In Delmarva’s four-game home series against Hagerstown on April 13-16, he batted .706 (12-17) with 8 extra-base hits and 8 RBIs, going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a triple, and four driven in in the Sunday matinee.

This is the first career honor for Ring in the South Atlantic League and his minor-league career.

Delmarva Shorebirds
----------------------------
The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class “A” Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, LLC, the same company that owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League.

The Shorebirds are celebrating their 22nd season in 2017 and have entertained nearly five million fans since beginning play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md. in 1996. The team captured South Atlantic League titles in 1997 and 2000 and successfully hosted the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 1999 and 2011.

West Virginia Power (4-7) at Hickory Crawdads (5-6)
Game 11 | April 17, 2017 | L.P. Frans Stadium | Hickory, NC
Radio: The Jock 1300 & 1340 - wvpower.com      Airtime: 5:45 P.M.
PITCHING MATCH-UP
RH James Marvel (0-0, 2.00) vs. RH Argenis Rodriguez (0-1, 4.15)
Marvel: Allowed 3 R (2 ER) on 6 H over 4.0 IP in 4/12 ND vs. ASH w/ 5 K & 3 BB (8-3 Power)
Rodriguez: Allowed 2 R on 6 H over 4.1 IP with 5 K & 2 BB in 4/12 Loss @ COL (3-0 Fireflies)

 

LEADING OFF: West Virginia throttled the Lexington Legends on Sunday, pounding out 18 hits in a 13-5 win to take the series. The Legends took a 1-0 lead in the third, but the Power scored five times on four doubles and a home run by Clark Eagan for a 5-1 lead. After Lexington got within one in the fifth, West Virginia added six more in the sixth, keyed by a Carlos Munoz grand slam to build an 11-4 lead. The Legends plated one in the seventh and the Power countered with one in the eighth and one in the ninth. Matt Anderson earned the win with five innings of work. Eduardo Vera pitched the final four innings for his first save.

 

HAVING A DAY: For the second time in the series, all nine Power batters in Sunday’s win had at least one hit. Six players had multi-hit games for West Virginia, led by a four hit afternoon from Kevin Mahala. During the four game series, the Power hit .321 and raised their team average from last in the league at .219 to sixth at .258. The team also belted six home runs in the series for a season total of ten; third most in the South Atlantic League.

HICKORY BOUND: West Virginia opens a three game series against the Crawdads in Hickory tonight. The ‘Dads lead the all-time set 60-57 and hold the edge at L.P. Frans Stadium 35-26. The clubs will meet again twice this season, including a three game series in Charleston early next month.

 

NO PLACE LIKE THE ROAD: The Power won three of four at Lexington and took their first series of the season. In 2016, West Virginia won 18 series, lost 18 and split three.

ROUND THREE: James Marvel starts tonight, marking West Virginia’s third trip through the rotation. The Duke product pitched five scoreless innings on game one of the delayed Opened Day doubleheader on April 7 versus Rome and worked the homestand final last Wednesday against Asheville. Marvel has allowed three runs, two of which are earned, over nine innings this season.

 

DIVISION RIVALS? West Virginia plays 59 games against fellow South Atlantic League Northern Division opponents this season and 81 against teams from the Southern Division. The next seven games are all against Northern Division opponents; three in Hickory and four at home against Lakewood. West Virginia only plays 24 of 70 first half games against teams from their own division.

 

WILLY GETS THE CALL: Willy Garcia was called up on Friday by the Chicago White Sox and made his Major League debut against the Minnesota Twins. The outfielder is the 58th former Power player to reach the Majors and the first this season. Garcia played 122 games for West Virginia in 2012 for then-manager Rick Sofield and hit .240 with a team-high 18 home runs and 77 runs batted in. Pittsburgh designated Garcia for assignment in December and the Chicago claimed the 24 year-old, who doubled in his first big league at bat.

 

POWER POINTS: Kevin Mahala is the only Power player who have seen action in all 11 games this season. Mahala has also started at least one game at all four spots on the infield... Ty Moore drove in six runs over 22 games for the Power last season. He has five RBI in six games this year and carries a team-best six game hitting streak into play tonight... Cam Vieaux was added to the Power roster from Extended Spring Training on Saturday and reliever Mike Wallace was transferred back to Extended... Shane Carle was recalled by the Colorado Rockies on Friday, but has yet to make his Major League debut. Carle was initially picked by the Pirates in the 10th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft and pitched for West Virginia in 2014.

 

AROUND THE ORGANIZATION: Pittsburgh finished a three-game sweep of the Cubs with a 6-1 win on Sunday. Adam Frazier homered to back Jameson Taillon in the victory... Indianapolis lost 9-5 at Toledo. Cody Dickson allowed three runs in relief and took the loss... Altoona and Bradenton were both idle on Easter Sunday.

 

PROMO PREVIEW: On Saturday, April 22, the first 1,000 fans through the gate at Appalachian Power Park will receive a 97.5 WQBE Rabbit bobblehead giveaway. Gates will open at 1:00 P.M. for the 2:05 game.

 

ON THE AIR: West Virginia Power games can be heard on The Jock 1300 & 1340 AM in the Kanawha Valley, online at wvpower.com and on the TuneIn Radio App.

Suns Erupt Late, Split with Shorebirds
Ring tallies three more extra-base hits in 15-6 loss

SALISBURY, MD - A pitchers’ duel devolved into a laugher as the Hagerstown Suns scored 13 runs in the final four innings on the way to a 15-6 win over the Delmarva Shorebirds on Sunday afternoon at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. The win gives the Suns a split of the four-game series.

Carlos Pena (1-0) earned his first win of the year, allowing one run on five hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out two on 83 pitches. Lucas Humpal (0-1) took the loss for Delmarva, allowing four runs on three hits and four walks in five-plus innings.

The Suns (7-4) opened the scoring in the top of the third as David Johnson belted his league-leading fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot to right field to make it 2-0. The Shorebirds (4-7) countered with one in the bottom of the third as Ryan McKenna doubled with two outs and came home on Jake Ring’s second double of the game.

It would stay 2-1 until the top of the sixth. Back-to-back leadoff walks chased Humpal from the game, and Hagerstown’s Sheldon Neuse belted a three-run homer off reliever Cody Dube. The Suns would add another on doubles by Aldrem Corredor and Jorge Tillero, making it 7-1.

The Shorebirds made their move in the bottom of the seventh. Daniel Fajardo led off with a single, and walks to Irving Ortega and McKenna loaded the bases. Ring then continued his sizzling streak by lacing a bases-clearing triple to right. Chris Shaw brought ring home on a sac fly, and Delmarva was back within two at 7-5.

The close game was short-lived, though, as the Suns answered with four unearned runs in the top of the eighth. With two on and two out, Angelo La Bruna lifted a lazy popup towards first base, but Preston Palmeiro dropped the ball. Both runs scored and La Bruna moved up to second on Palmeiro’s overthrow to the plate. Two more eventually scored on a Johnson single and a wild pitch to make it 11-5.

Daniel Fajardo singled home one in the eighth to make it 11-6, but Hagerstown had one more four-spot in them in the top of the ninth, headlined by Jake Noll’s two-run round-tripper.

Ring finished another masterful game at the plate 4-for-4 with two doubles, a triple, a run, and four RBIs. He currently leads the SAL in doubles (7) and extra-base hits (11). In the four games against Hagerstown, Ring batted .706 (12-17) with six doubles, two triples, five runs, and eight RBIs.

Fajardo and Ortega each went 2-for-4 with a run, and McKenna scored twice. Collin Woody saw his hitting streak end at eight games, going 0-for-5.

Johnson finished 3-for-5 with a homer, three RBIs, and two runs scored to lead the Sun attack. Corredor reached in all five of his plate appearances, going 3-for-3 with three doubles, two runs, two walks, and two stolen bases.

The Shorebirds next welcome the Greensboro Grasshoppers to Perdue Stadium for the first of three on Monday night. In a rematch of last Wednesday’s game, Delmarva’s Zach Muckinhirn (1-1, 0.84) squares off against Greensboro’s Alex Mateo (0-1, 7.45). First pitch is 7:05 p.m. with gates opening an hour before first pitch. Monday is 47 ABC $2 Buck Monday, featuring upper reserved tickets, hot dogs, and fountain drinks for $2 each. Pregame coverage on Fox Sports AM 960 and the MiLB First Pitch app begins at 6:50 p.m. with Will DeBoer on the call.

RiverDogs Blanked by Braves in Finale

Park goes 2-for-4 from leadoff spot but Charleston’s league leading offense is held scoreless for the first time

 

ROME, GA– Charleston’s league-leading offense collected seven hits, led by shortstop Hoy Jun Park’s pair of leadoff singles, but were held scoreless for the first time all season as the Rome Braves blanked the RiverDogs, 8-0, to force a series split on an Easter Sunday afternoon at State Mutual Stadium.

 

The RiverDogs (7-4) entered play leading the league in runs scored (65) and hitting (.289), but stranded five baserunners in the first four innings, allowing Rome to take an early lead.

 

The Braves (8-3) collected back-to-back singles to lead off the third before taking a 1-0 advantage. After knocks by former Gamecock Marcus Mooney and second baseman Kevin Josephina, left fielder Anfernee Seymour reached on a fielder’s choice groundout to drive in the first run of the ballgame.

 

Rome put up a big crooked number in the fourth, capitalizing on three Charleston errors to stretch their lead to 7-0. Juan Yepez doubled to lead off the frame and Randy Ventura walked to put early activity on behind RiverDogs starter Nick Nelson (L, 0-1). On a pickoff attempt, catcher Eduardo Nava’s throw sailed into center field, allowing both runners to move up. After Kurt Hoekstra struck out, Brett Cumberland knocked in a run on an infield single but Park’s hurried throw after a diving effort sailed away to allow the second run to score. Mooney doubled in another before Josephina walked to put two runners on. Anfernee Seymour followed and hit a double play ball to Brandon Wagner at first who threw it away into the outfield scoring the fourth run of the inning and chasing Nelson from the ballgame. Cristian Pache drove in two on  a single to left to make it a 7-0 Braves advantage.

 

Nelson finished allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts to take the loss.

Rome added their eight run in the fifth on a pair of wild pitches by Adonis Rosa. Garrett Mundell tossed two scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts.

It was the third time that the RiverDogs were handed a loss of five runs or more this season.

 

Upcoming

The RiverDogs continue the road trip in Georgia as they take on the GreenJackets in a three-game series at Lake Olmstead Stadium from April 17-19. Charleston will send RHP Nick Green (0-2, 9.95) in game one to face RHP Stephen Woods, Jr. (1-0, 1.50). The first pitch is set for 7:05pm on Monday night.

 

RiverDogs tickets, including options for the all-new Riley Park Club, are now available and can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com. Those that can’t make it to the park can follow every pitch of the RiverDogs season on WTMA 1250 AM in the tri-county area or by streaming online at riverdogs.com and the TuneIn Radio App by searching “RiverDogs.”

West Virginia Power (3-7) at Lexington Legends (3-7)
Game 11 | April 16, 2017 | Whitaker Bank Ballpark | Lexington, KY
Radio: The Jock 1300 & 1340 - wvpower.com      Airtime: 1:45 P.M.
PITCHING MATCH-UP
RH Matt Anderson (0-1, 7.71) vs. RH Nolan Watson (0-1, 2.00)
Anderson: Allowed 3 R on 7 H over 6.0 IP in 4/11 ND vs. ASH w/ 8 K & 1 BB (4-2 Tourists in 10)
Watson: Allowed 4 R (2 ER) on 3 H over 5.0 IP with 3 K in 4/11 Loss @ GVL (4-3 Drive)

 

LEADING OFF: West Virginia topped Lexington 3-2 on Saturday. Cam Vieaux matched the Legends’ Andre Davis with five shutout innings, but Lexington plated the first run in the bottom of the sixth. Trae Arbet evened the score with a solo home run to lead off the seventh. In the eighth, Stephen Alemais hit a two-run triple for a 3-1 Power lead. Lexington scored once in the ninth, but left the tying run on base. Hector Garcia earned the win in relief of Vieaux and Dylan Prohoroff picked up the first West Virginia save this year.

 

RIVALRY RENEWED: The Power play the Lexington Legends 25 times in 2017, accounting for 18% of West Virginia’s full 140 game schedule. The Power are 131-105 since 2005 against Lexington, including a 71-51 mark on the road. The two teams have also started a joint promotion paying tribute to the Hatfield and McCoy feud, featuring custom jerseys and a golden pig trophy for the winner of the full season series. The Power are 1-0 in their Hatfield jerseys this season. West Virginia hosts Lexington for a four-game set in early May.

ONE FOR THE ROAD: The Power enter play today looking for their first series win of the season. In 2016, West Virginia won 18 series, lost 18 and split three.

MR. ANDERSON: Matt Anderson makes his second start and third appearance of the season when he gets the ball on Sunday afternoon. The right-hander allowed three runs on back-to-back home runs in a loss to Rome in game one of a doubleheader on April 7 in a relief outing. Anderson started game two of the Asheville series, allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings, lowering his ERA from 27.00 to 7.71.

 

SECOND SIGHTING: Cam Vieaux was added to the Power roster from Extended Spring Training on Saturday and reliever Mike Wallace was transferred back to Extended. Vieaux started Monday against Asheville, but was transferred off the roster to add an extra arm to the bullpen before returning for a quality start on Saturday.

 

WILLY GETS THE CALL: Willy Garcia was called up on Friday by the Chicago White Sox and made his Major League debut against the Minnesota Twins. The outfielder is the 58th former Power player to reach the Majors and the first this season. Garcia played 122 games for West Virginia in 2012 for then-manager Rick Sofield and hit .240 with a team-high 18 home runs and 77 runs batted in. Pittsburgh designated Garcia for assignment in December and the Chicago claimed the 24 year-old, who doubled in his first big league at bat.

 

ZERO SUM GAME: On Friday, for the first time in a single game this year, no Power hitter was retired on strikes.

 

TOTAL RECALL: Shane Carle was recalled by the Colorado Rockies on Friday and could make his Major League debut this weekend. Carle was initially picked by the Pirates in the 10th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft and pitched for West Virginia in 2014. Pittsburgh traded Carle to Colorado in November of 2014 for reliever Rob Scahill.

 

POWER POINTS: Trae Arbet homered twice on Wednesday, becoming the first Power player to hit two home runs in a game this season... Kevin Mahala is the only Power player who have seen action in all ten games this season. Mahala has also started at least one game at all four spots on the infield this season... Ty Moore drove in six runs over 22 games for the Power last season. He has four RBI in five games this year.

 

AROUND THE ORGANIZATION: Pittsburgh rallied past the Cubs 8-7 in Chicago. The Cubs led 6-2 after six, but the Buccos plated five in the seventh for the W... Indianapolis was doubled up 6-3 by Toledo. Max Moroff hit his fourth home run in ten game this year... Altoona beat Akron 2-1. Edwin Espinal’s two-run home run in the fourth was the difference... Bradenton lost its third straight, falling 3-2 at Tampa.

 

PROMO PREVIEW: On Saturday, April 22, the first 1,000 fans through the gate at Appalachian Power Park will receive a 97.5 WQBE Rabbit bobblehead giveaway. Gates will open at 1:00 P.M. for the 2:05 game.

 

ON THE AIR: West Virginia Power games can be heard on The Jock 1300 & 1340 AM in the Kanawha Valley, online at wvpower.com and on the TuneIn Radio App. Adam Marco will call the action and will be joined by Steve Granado when the team plays at Appalachian Power Park.