Early offense, Robles lifts Power over GreenJackets

CHARLESTON, W.V. (August 4, 2018) - West Virginia's offense combined with another stellar start from Domingo Robles to help the Power sail by Augusta, 8-2, Saturday night at Appalachian Power Park.
West Virginia (19-22, 56-51) started off the game on a roll. Oneil Cruz dribbled a double down the left-field line to lead off the bottom of the first before Calvin Mitchell knocked him in with a base knock two batters later for an early 1-0 lead.

After that, Deon Stafford came to the dish. West Virginia's catcher was activated from the disabled list before the game, and he wasted no time in his Power return, stroking a homer over the left-field fence, his sixth of the year, on the first pitch he saw to push West Virginia's lead to 3-0.
The offense did not stop there. The Power doubled their lead in the second inning. After a Jesse Medrano single and a Ben Bengtson walk, Fabricio Macias smoked the first home run of his MiLB career off Augusta (16-25, 53-56) starter Caleb Baragar (0-2) to extend the lead to 6-0. 
The Power continued to score in bunches in the third. After Raul Hernandez singled with one out, Medrano walked to put runners at first and second. Bengtson and Macias then connected for back-to-back singles to drive in West Virginia's seventh and eighth runs of the game, while Macias tallied his fourth RBI of the night, a new career-high.
Meanwhile, Robles (9-6) dominated on the mound again. The southpaw twirled five innings of shutout baseball, allowing four hits while punching out three GreenJacket batters. Over his last three starts, Robles has ceded just two runs over 19 innings pitched, good for a 0.94 ERA.
Joel Cesar and Elvis Escobar both worked two innings in relief, allowing one run apiece.
West Virginia concludes its homestand against Augusta Sunday afternoon, with first pitch set for 2:05 p.m. at Appalachian Power Park. RHP Hunter Stratton (4-4, 4.83 ERA) toes the rubber for the Power, while Augusta counters with righty Norwith Gudino (first SAL start). Pregame coverage begins at 1:45 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. 
The series concludes Sunday with a Kidz Sunday Funday and gates opening at 1 p.m. Before the game, kids 12 and younger can play catch in the outfield, while afterwards, kids can run the bases, presented by the SMART529 College Savings Program, and select players will be available to sign autographs. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.