Four-run sixth helps Power eke past RiverDogs

CHARLESTON, S.C. (April 18, 2018) - Domingo Robles tossed six quality innings and West Virginia put up just enough offense, thanks to a four-run sixth inning, to down the Charleston RiverDogs, 5-4, in Wednesday's series finale at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
Robles (1-1) was excellent over his six innings of work, allowing just one run on two hits with a career-high nine strikeouts. The southpaw set down the first six men he faced on the afternoon and ultimately tossed 69 pitches in his third outing at the Low-A level, with 52 strikes.

The sixth frame proved to be the decisive one for West Virginia (7-6), as the Power tacked on four runs against Charleston starter Rony Garcia (0-1), who lasted 5.2 innings and gave up five runs (two earned) on nine hits. Deon Stafford started the inning with a base hit to third and quickly scored as the next batter, Mason Martin, drilled an RBI double to right to make it 2-1 West Virginia.
After Rodolfo Castro lined out to short, Oneil Cruz lofted a fly ball into the left field corner that Frederick Cuevas could not reel in, putting Cruz on second base with one down. Kyle Watson, Chris Sharpe and Lolo Sanchez then connected for three consecutive RBI singles to give the Power a 5-1 edge.
The RiverDogs (6-7) responded with three runs in the seventh off Joel Cesar on a sacrifice fly from Cuevas, an RBI knock from Oswaldo Cabrera and a passed ball, but Blake Cederlind induced a pop out by Wilkerman Garcia to strand the tying run at third base.
Matt Seelinger (S,1), who joined West Virginia early Wednesday morning from the GCL, pitched around a leadoff single and a two-out walk to lock down the save, the fifth of his career, as Steven Sensley went down on strikes for the fifth time in the game for the final out.
The Power opened the scoring in fourth on an RBI single from Cruz, but Charleston knotted things at one in the home half of the inning on a Chris Hess solo homer to left-center, the only home run the RiverDogs hit against West Virginia all series.
West Virginia returns home to open up a four-game series against the Asheville Tourists on Thursday, April 19, at Appalachian Power Park. RHP Travis MacGregor (0-1, 1.42 ERA) is on the bump in the series opener against Asheville right-hander Garrett Schilling (1-0, 3.24 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at wvpower.com, via the TuneIn Radio App and the MiLB First Pitch App, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.
The Power's eight-game homestand, beginning on Thursday, April 19, is packed with tons of promotions, including another Thirsty Thursday, presented by Rock 105, with $1.00, 12-ounce beverages and $2.00, 16-ounce cans on tap. College students with a valid student ID can receive $2.00 off their ticket when purchased at the Box Office. Thursday is Awful Night at the ballpark, with a giveaway for the first 1,000 fans along with a live, not awful, pre-game performance by Taylor Wills. For tickets and more information, call 304-344-2287 or visit www.wvpower.com.