PALM SPRINGS – The POWER (17-1, 6-1) pitched their way to another win on Sunday, as they beat the OC Waves 2-0.
Four Palm Springs pitchers combined to throw a three-hit shutout, marking the third time this season the POWER have blanked their opposition. Ryan Raslowsky provided the offensive spark for Palm Springs, going 1-1 with three walks and scoring both POWER runs.
Keaton Hernandez (3-0) started for Palm Springs and lasted five innings, allowing only two hits and striking out five. The right-hander has now gone 12 consecutive innings without allowing a run, dropping his earned run average to a paltry 1.93 on the season.
After getting a day off on Saturday, Raslowsky was back causing mayhem in the lead-off slot. The Mission Viejo-native led off the POWER first with a walk and immediately stole second base. Tyler Truitt moved him to third base with a groundout before a passed ball sent Raslowsky scampering home to give Palm Springs a 1-0 lead.
The scene would repeat itself in the third. Raslowsky again led off the frame with a walk, his sixth walk in the last three games. After another stolen base, he advanced to third on an error. Antonio Chavarria then flew out to deep right field, allowing Raslowsky to tag up and score to double the POWER lead.
With the score standing at 2-0, Palm Springs pitchers took care of the rest. Making his POWER debut in relief of Hernandez, Cortland Cox pitched two innings without allowing a hit. Michael Barrett also threw a perfect eighth inning, before Doug Finley worked a solid ninth inning to earn his second save of the season and give Palm Springs the win.
The POWER are next in action on Tuesday when they host the Long Beach Legends in a pivotal two-game series at Palm Springs Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Remember it is “Two-for-Tuesday,” meaning fans can enjoy two-for-one admissions, as well as discounts on select concessions. If you cannot make it to the ballpark, be sure to listen online at pspbb.com.
