CHARLESTON, WV (June 25, 2018) - Cody Bolton's six stellar innings and Kyle Watson's key two-run single in the sixth led to a 4-1 Power win in game one, but Lakewood was able to blank West Virginia in game two, 1-0, as the Power split a doubleheader against the BlueClaws Monday evening
CHARLESTON, WV (June 25, 2018) - Cody Bolton's six stellar innings and Kyle Watson's key two-run single in the sixth led to a 4-1 Power win in game one, but Lakewood was able to blank West Virginia in game two, 1-0, as the Power split a doubleheader against the BlueClaws Monday evening at Appalachian Power Park.
GAME 1: WEST VIRGINIA 4, LAKEWOOD 1 (F/7)
West Virginia (4-0, 41-29) struck first for the fourth consecutive game, as Brett Pope and Ryan Peurifoy singled to put runners at the corners with two away against Lakewood starter David Parkinson. With Kyle Watson at the dish, Parkinson was called for his first balk of the season, sending Pope in from third to give the Power a 1-0 lead.
The BlueClaws (2-2, 43-30) tied things up in the fourth against Cody Bolton (3-0), who had allowed one hit in each of his first three innings. In the fourth, Colby Fitch and Jake Scheiner led off with back-to-back singles. After Daniel Brito was retired on a flyout to left, Quincy Nieporte ripped a double to left that plated Fitch to knot the game at one. Lakewood tried to take the lead in the next at-bat, as Bolton's second strike to Josh Stephen skipped away from Deon Stafford to the backstop. However, the Power catcher made a great throw to the covering Bolton at the plate to nab Scheiner, keeping the game tied at one.
The score stayed square at one until the sixth, when Parkinson was relieved by Andrew Brown (2-1). Brown retired the first two batters he faced before allowing a hustle double to Chris Sharpe, who extended his team-best hitting streak to 12 games with his 2-for-3 day. Peurifoy then reached on an infield single to short, putting runners at first and third for Watson. Watson worked the count to 3-1 and then smacked the next pitch into right field, scoring Sharpe from third and bringing in Peurifoy from second, who managed to sneak in after Gregori Rivero could not handle the throw home cleanly. The next batter, Lolo Sanchez, connected for the fourth straight hit of the inning with a bloop single to left that plated Watson and extended the Power's lead to 4-1.
West Virginia has now plated 16 of its 25 runs in the second half with two outs in the inning.
Beau Sulser (S, 4) locked down the Power's fourth straight win with a 1-2-3 seventh, securing his fourth save in five opportunities.
Bolton earned the win after tossing six stellar innings, allowing one run on eight hits while striking out five and walking none over 81 pitches.
GAME 2: LAKEWOOD 1, WEST VIRGINIA 0 (F/7)
Sergio Cubilete (2-4) battled with Lakewood (3-2, 44-30) starter Ramon Rosso (5-1) in game two, allowing just one run through 4.2 innings of work. After breezing through the first four innings, Cubilete ran into trouble in the fifth. With one down, Cubilete hit Jesus Alastre and then loaded the bases after giving up a single to Jose Antequera and a walk to Daniel Brito. Nick Maton then lofted a sacrifice fly to plate the lone run of the game. Following a walk to Jhailyn Ortiz, Cubilete was lifted with the bases loaded for Drew Fischer, who picked up the slack, stranding all three runners and finishing the game with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.
Rosso was superb against the Power, twirling six scoreless innings while only allowing four hits and fanning four. Connor Brogdon (S, 1) shut down West Virginia (4-1, 41-30) in the seventh, setting down the Power 1-2-3 and striking out a pair to record his first save of the season and Lakewood's MiLB-leading 17th shutout.
In the loss, Lolo Sanchez picked up his 12th multi-hit game of the season with his 2-for-2 performance in the nightcap.
West Virginia goes for the series victory against the Lakewood BlueClaws Tuesday evening, with first pitch from Appalachian Power Park set for 7:05 p.m. RHP Gavin Wallace (5-1, 3.59 ERA) takes the hill for the Power, while the BlueClaws counter with southpaw Will Stewart (6-0, 1.13 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's series finale is Two for Tuesday, with two-for-one concession specials available all night long, including two-for-one sloppy joes, chicken salad sandwiches and 16-ounce domestic beer cans. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.
