Power falls despite strong effort from MacGregor

CHARLESTON, WV (August 2, 2018) - Travis MacGregor turned in West Virginia's fourth quality start in its last five games, but it was not enough as the Augusta GreenJackets took the series opener, 2-1, Thursday night at Appalachian Power Park.
MacGregor (1-4) came out of the gates hot, setting down the first 12 batters he faced. He ran into some trouble in the fifth, however, allowing Manuel Geraldo to reach with a base knock to lead off the inning. MacGregor rebounded quickly though, inducing a 4-6-3 double play from Ryan Kirby to empty the bases.

Augusta (16-23, 53-54) then struck with some two-out magic, as the next batter, Orlando Garcia, smacked his sixth homer of the season over the left field wall to give the GreenJackets a 1-0 lead. 
In the sixth, Malique Ziegler roped a double off MacGregor before Ishmeal Munguia used a bunt single to move Ziegler to third. Next, Heliot Ramos lofted a sacrifice fly to center field that put Augusta in front 2-0.
West Virginia (17-22, 54-51) struggled against Augusta starter Stetson Woods (2-1). He tossed five scoreless innings and struck out seven before Keenan Bartlett relieved him in the sixth.
The GreenJackets righty immediately surrendered a single to Lolo Sanchez before Calvin Mitchell laced a double down the left field line to bring Sanchez to third. Raul Hernandez then drew a walk to load the bases with no one out.
Robbie Glendinning rolled over a ball that turned into a double play, but it was enough to score Sanchez, cutting Augusta's lead to 2-1.
The bullpen rebounded from yesterday's tough outing. Ike Schlabach and Matt Seelinger combined for three scoreless innings to keep the game within one run down to the wire, but John Russell (S, 5) locked up the Power over the final two frames to pick up his fifth save.
West Virginia continues its four-game series with the Augusta GreenJackets Friday evening, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. at Appalachian Power Park. RHP Max Kranick (2-4, 3.95 ERA) is on the bump for the Power, while Augusta counters with RHP Garrett Cave (5-6, 4.79 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 is Fireworks Friday at Appalachian Power Park. Brick Street Insurance and Electric 102.7 are presenting the top pyrotechnical display in the Kanawha Valley after the game. This series also includes Back-to-School Night with a backpack giveaway courtesy of Todd Judy Ford on Saturday and a Kidz Sunday Funday. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.