SLIPPERY ROCK — It’s virtually impossible to win a baseball game when you get outperformed in all three facets of play.

Considering Slippery Rock’s offense managed just five hits, its quartet of pitchers combined to walk nine batters and its defense made six errors, it’s not surprising the Sliders dropped Wednesday’s Prospect League game to West Virginia by a lopsided score of 12-2 at Critchfield Park.

“It wasn’t even close,” said Slippery Rock manager Shawn Pynn. “When you have more errors than hits and you aren’t pitching well, it’s a recipe for disaster.”

It did not take long for the game to sway in favor of the Miners.

Sparked by Bradley Strong’s two-run single, West Virginia plated four runs on five hits in the top of the second inning.

Two more runs followed in the fourth frame off Sliders starter Jesse Mowen, who was pulled after allowing six runs — four earned — in five innings. He struck out five and walked four.

The Miners (14-8) scored a combined six runs off Slippery Rock’s three relievers — Dan Harms, Marty Hustad and Jason Revesz.

Meanwhile, Miners starter Will Blalock left with a 6-1 lead after five innings. He earned the win with four strikeouts and one walk.

Relievers Joe Candelmo and Hunter Brothers both worked two innings and allowed just one run combined.

“We won the East Division in the first half and we’ll be playing a playoff game on Tuesday,” said West Virginia manager Tim Epling. “Our pitching has been good all year, it’s just a matter of keeping the arms fresh.”

Slippery Rock got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning when Derek Peake’s base hit scored Mike Porcaro. But Blalock eluded further damage when he got Ryan Abernathy to hit into a 6-4-3 double play, stranding Dan Hurlimann at third base.

The Sliders (10-15) scored again in the sixth. Peake’s second hit of the game plated Hurlimann, but the team still trailed 7-2.

The Sliders have five games remaining, beginning with tonight’s clash in Richmond.

“We had been playing well,” said Pynn, “but have been hit hard with injuries. It’s tough.

“It’s just a matter of our guys bearing down and not packing it in.”

West Virginia 040 201 122 — 12 10 0

Slippery Rock 000 101 000 — 2 5 6

W: Will Blalock 5IP (4K, 1BB). L: Jesse Mowen 5IP (5K, 4BB).

West Virginia (14-8): Luke Meeteer 2-1B 2R RBI, Bradley Strong 2-1B 2R 3RBI, Clayton Prestridge 2B 3RBI, Joe Williams 1B R, Gray Stafford 1B 2B R, John Spirk 1B R RBI, Mark Benak R, Matt Chavarria 1B 2R RBI, Tyler Wells R RBI, Grant Williams R

Slippery Rock (10-15): Mike Porcaro 1B R, Dan Hurlimann R, Radley Haddad 2-1B, Derek Peake 2-1B 2RBI

Today: Slippery Rock at Richmond (Ind.)