Robles takes no-hitter into sixth in 5-4 win

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (June 11, 2018) - Domingo Robles did not allow a hit through the first 5.1 innings and Oneil Cruz went 2-for-5 with three RBI as the Power hung on for a 5-4 series-opening win over the Augusta GreenJackets Monday evening at SRP Park.
Robles (4-4) did not give up a hit until the sixth, when Heliot Ramos reached base safely on a squibber just to the left of the mound that Robles had trouble getting to in time. Overall, the southpaw spun seven strong innings, ceding one run on three hits while striking out eight to earn his fourth win of the season. Robles has now thrown five quality starts in his last seven outings.

The Power cracked the scoreboard first again, as West Virginia (32-28) tallied three runs against Augusta starter Jason Bahr (6-4) in the second inning. After Bahr hit John Bormann with his first pitch of the frame, Ben Bengtson extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a single to right that put runners at first and second with nobody out. Chris Sharpe then laid down a perfectly-placed bunt in front of the plate that no one could reach in time, netting himself a single to load the bases.
The next batter, Kyle Watson, grounded into a fielder's choice at third that brought in Bormann for the first run of the game as Bengtson was tagged out at third. Bahr battled back to strike out Ryan Peurifoy for the second out, but Cruz ripped a double into the right field corner that plated Sharpe and Watson to put West Virginia in front 3-0. 
The Power tacked on two more runs in the fifth, as Cruz collected his third RBI of the game with a single to left that scored Watson, while Deon Stafford brought in Peurifoy on a fielder's choice to the shortstop three batters later to make it 5-0 West Virginia.
Augusta (35-27) was able to push one run across in the seventh after Orlando Garcia led off the inning with a single and scored on a wild pitch. However, Ike Schlabach silenced the GreenJackets in the eighth, setting them down 1-2-3. 
Schlabach came out to start the ninth, but he could not record an out. After walking Garcia to begin the frame, he allowed a single to Shane Matheny to put runners on first and second with nobody out. The next batter, Rob Calabrese, smashed a three-run homer to left to make it a one-run game and end Schlabach's evening. 
Beau Sulser (S, 1) came on strong in relief of Schlabach, giving up just a one-out single to Nick Hill before striking out Logan Baldwin looking and inducing a weak grounder from Ramos to first to end the game.
West Virginia continues its series with Augusta Tuesday at SRP Park, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. RHP Gavin Wallace (4-0, 3.20 ERA) takes the hill for the Power, while the GreenJackets counter with righty Garrett Cave (4-1, 3.17 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.
The Power will return to Appalachian Power Park June 15-17 for a three-game series against the Delmarva Shorebirds. The series will be West Virginia's last homestand of the first half and will be jam-packed with promotions. Fireworks Friday, presented by Electric 102.7 and Huntington Bank, kicks off the homestand on June 15, while on June 16, the Power will celebrate West Virginia Day with a Bluetooth speaker giveaway to the first 1,000 fans courtesy of Appalachian Power. West Virginia's first half promotional slate concludes Sunday, June 17, with a Lincoln County Day and Father's Day Kidz Sunday Funday at the ballpark. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.