CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Power will miss the South Atlantic League playoffs for the second consecutive season, but that doesn't mean the Pittsburgh Pirates' farmhands have thrown in the towel.
After losing five of eight games on a just completed road trip, West Virginia returned home with a 10-4 win over the Rome (Ga.) Braves Monday at Appalachian Power Park.
A crowd of 1,160 looked on as the Power improved to 29-33 in the league's Northern Division, while Rome slipped to 27-36 and last place in the Southern Division.
West Virginia will play three more games against the Braves, before closing out the season with a four-game home series against the Hagerstown Suns.
And while Power Manager Gary Green isn't thrilled about missing the playoffs, the long time minor league skipper is pleased with his young team's effort down the stretch.
West Virginia, which finished the season's first half in the basement of the Northern Division, sits fifth in the seven-team division.
"They've been giving us a great effort every night for the last month to month and a half," Green said
"Some nights are good, and some aren't so good, but the effort has always been really good.
"It's part of having a young group that's trying to learn. I am very proud of the effort they've given us.
"It shows they haven't quit and that they're still trying to get better.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Power will miss the South Atlantic League playoffs for the second consecutive season, but that doesn't mean the Pittsburgh Pirates' farmhands have thrown in the towel.
After losing five of eight games on a just completed road trip, West Virginia returned home with a 10-4 win over the Rome (Ga.) Braves Monday at Appalachian Power Park.
A crowd of 1,160 looked on as the Power improved to 29-33 in the league's Northern Division, while Rome slipped to 27-36 and last place in the Southern Division.
West Virginia will play three more games against the Braves, before closing out the season with a four-game home series against the Hagerstown Suns.
And while Power Manager Gary Green isn't thrilled about missing the playoffs, the long time minor league skipper is pleased with his young team's effort down the stretch.
West Virginia, which finished the season's first half in the basement of the Northern Division, sits fifth in the seven-team division.
"They've been giving us a great effort every night for the last month to month and a half," Green said
"Some nights are good, and some aren't so good, but the effort has always been really good.
"It's part of having a young group that's trying to learn. I am very proud of the effort they've given us.
"It shows they haven't quit and that they're still trying to get better.
"That's what we're trying to do. At the end of the day, we want to get better."
The Power jumped on Rome starter Ryan Weber (L, 2-5) with single runs in the first, third and fifth innings, before chasing the right-hander after just one out in what turned out to be a three-run sixth inning.
West Virginia collected 10 hits, and plated six runs off of Weber, before battering the Braves' bullpen for four more runs in the seventh.
Andy Vasquez led the Power with three hits, including a triple and an RBI, while Ramon Cabrera finished with three RBI.
Elevys Gonzalez, Jose Hernandez, David Rubinstein and Rogelio Noris also added an RBI apiece for the Power.
After picking up the win in his last outing last week at Rome, Power starter Jason Erickson earned a no decision after allowing four runs and six hits over five innings.
Reliever Ryan Kelly (2-3) earned the win with three scoreless and hitless innings, before Mike Williams finished up with a scoreless ninth.
Power Notes - Pitcher Kyle McPherson was promoted to High Class A Bradenton (Fla.) on Sunday. McPherson led the Power with nine wins and was second on the club with a 3.59 ERA. In parts of two seasons with West Virginia, McPherson went 14-11 with 4.45 ERA and 159 strikeouts...Pitcher Jhonathan Ramos returned to West Virginia from State College (Pa.) to take McPherson's spot on the roster. Ramos went 0-1 with an 8.40 ERA in West Virginia from May 28 to June 20. The southpaw was 3-1, with a pair of saves and a 1.62 ERA at State College.
Contact Michael Dailey at mike.dai...@dailymail.com.
