LaPorta, Periard lead Power

August 21, 2007

Matt LaPorta homered twice and Alexandre Periard tossed six strong innings as West Virginia dropped visiting Lexington, 5-1, on Tuesday.

LaPorta slugged a leadoff homer in the fourth inning and a three-run blast in the fifth. The 22-year-old left fielder is batting .310 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 11 games for the Power (27-29) since being promoted from Rookie-level Helena on Aug. 8.

Periard (6-7), who had lost his last six starts, gave up one unearned run on six hits and a walk while striking out three. Mike Ramlow gave up a hit and fanned two over two scoreless innings, and Donovan Hand worked around a pair of hits in the ninth to close it out.

Jordan Parraz went 3-for-4 and Greg Buchanan delivered an RBI groundout in the second for the Legends (24-34).

Lexington starter Sergio Severino (5-7) was charged with three runs on four hits, walking four and fanning four over 4 2/3 frames. --Shane Figueroa/MLB.com