Dog Days: WV drops road trip opener

(Charleston, WV- May 23, 2016)-   The Charleston RiverDogs defeated the West Virginia Power 10-2 Monday night at Joseph P. Riley Park. The 'Dogs used 16 hits and a pair of home runs to take game one of the series.

Tito Polo gave the Power an early lead with a solo home run to left in the first inning, tying him for the team lead with five on the season.

The lead was short lived for the Power as Charleston struck for six runs over the first two innings against Power starter J.T. Brubaker, highlighted by home runs from Connor Spencer and Gosuke Katoh making it 6-2 'Dogs.

Brubaker (2-5) lasted just the two innings, allowing six runs, three earned, in his shortest outing of the season.

The 'Dogs added another run in the sixth on an RBI double by Angel Aguilar. Charleston finished off their scoring with three runs on four straight hits in the eighth against Power reliever Logan Ratledge. The utility infielder struck out two over two innings in his second pitching appearance of the year.  

The Charleston pitching staff shutout the Power over the final seven innings until Christian Kelley hit an RBI double of the ninth to make it 10-2 'Dogs.

Christian Morris (3-0) picked up the win, allowing one run on six hits over six innings. Jose Mesa earned his first save of the year allowing one run over the final three innings.

West Virginia will try to even up the series Tuesday night in game two of the series. The Power send right-hander Bret Helton to the mound, matched up against RiverDog right-hander Luis Cedeno. First pitch is at 7:05 P.M. at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park.