West Virginia claims 8-1 rain-shortened finale

CHARLESTON, WV (July 17, 2018) - West Virginia exploded for seven runs in the middle innings and claimed an 8-1 rain-shortened win over the Delmarva Shorebirds in the series finale Tuesday afternoon at Appalachian Power Park. 
The Power (13-12, 50-41) broke the game open in the fourth inning against Delmarva starter Jhon Peluffo (3-5). Ben Bengtson singled to lead off the frame, which Kyle Watson followed with a single of his own two batters later. Fabricio Macias then ripped a two-run triple to center field, plating Bengtson and Watson to make it a 3-1 West Virginia lead. Lolo Sanchez added a run on with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 4-1. 

In the fifth, the Power tacked on three more runs against new Shorebirds (16-10, 51-42) reliever Alex Katz. Calvin Mitchell and Jesse Medrano walked to begin the inning before Bengtson singled to load the bases. Katz then uncorked a wild pitch that scored Mitchell before Ryan Peurifoy singled in Medrano. Watson brought in Bengtson on a fielder's choice ground out for the final run of the frame.
West Virginia added its final run in the sixth on a Raul Hernandez run-scoring single against Ryan Wilson, extending the Power's lead to 8-1. Following the conclusion of the sixth, the game was put into a short delay before being called early due to heavy rain.
Hunter Stratton (4-3) earned the win after spinning five innings of one-run ball while allowing three hits and striking out two. Drew Fischer tossed the final inning, a scoreless sixth, with a pair of strikeouts.
Delmarva started the scoring from the word go, as the lead-off man, Mason McCoy, smashed a home run to left, his fourth of the season, to give the Shorebirds a 1-0 lead.
The Power drew even in the bottom of the second. Hernandez walked to begin the inning before Peurifoy doubled to dead center to move Hernandez to third. Watson then lofted a sacrifice fly to right field to score Hernandez and tie the game at one.
Following a league-wide off day Wednesday, West Virginia begins an eight-game road trip through Lexington, Kentucky, and Kannapolis, North Carolina. The Power kicks off a four-game series against the Legends Thursday night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. Lexington and West Virginia have yet to announce their starters for the series. 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.
After their eight-game road trip, the Power returns home for their final homestand of July. The Asheville Tourists come to town from July 27-29. On Friday, July 27, West Virginia will host Faith and Family Night, presented by Mako Medical Laboratories, where there will be a postgame fireworks show, presented by TransCanada and Electric 102.7, as well as pre-game concerts from The Jason Lovins Band and the Sycomores. On Saturday, West Virginia will give away a bucket hat to the first 1,000 fans, courtesy of IHOP. The homestand wraps up Sunday with a Kid's Sunday Funday. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit www.wvpower.com.