West Virginia 8, Savannah 1

The West Virginia Power roughed up Savannah’s all-star right-hander Gabriel Ynoa and defeated the Sand Gnats 8-1 on Wednesday night in the opener of a three-game series.

Ynoa (10-4) lost for the second time in his last three decisions while surrendering 10 hits and six runs (three earned) in just five innings.

The Power broke the game open in the fourth inning by scoring four times. The Pirates affiliate’s first four batters reached base. Kawika Emsley-Pai’s two-run single broke a 1-1 deadlock. Two batters later, Max Moroff’s ground out brought in the third run of the inning. Dilson Herrera singled in the fourth run to make it 5-1.

The bottom third of the West Virginia lineup — Jonathan Schwind, Emsley-Pai and Raul Fortunato — combined to go 5 for 11 with five runs batted in. All nine players in the Power’s starting lineup contributed at least one hit to the 14-hit attack.

Barrett Barnes and Schwind had three hits apiece.

Savannah’s lone run came in the first inning. With two out, Maikis De La Cruz walked, stole second and went to third on Emsley-Pai’s throwing error. Stefan Sabol followed with a triple, driving in De La Cruz.

Sabol had two of the Sand Gnats’ seven hits. Jeff Reynolds also had two hits.

But Savannah (53-39, 10-13 second half) failed to hit in the clutch, getting only Sabol’s triple in nine chances with runners in scoring position. The Gnats stranded 12 baserunners.

Tyler Glasnow pitched five innings, scattering five hits while improving his record to 6-2.

The teams continue the series tonight at 7:05.

Key Stats

Stefan Sabol: 2-for-5, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 RBI

Jeff Reynolds: 2-for-4

Maikis De La Cruz: 1-for-4, 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 R

Gabriel Ynoa: 5.0 IP, 10 H, 1 BB, 6 R, 3 ER, 8 K

Wanel Mesa: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 K

(Team Report)