'Birds Stun K-Town with Five Unanswered
August 9, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release
SALISBURY, MD - The Shorebirds plated five late unanswered runs as they surged past the Kannapolis Intimidators 7-4 on Friday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.
The Shorebirds' (29-17, 77-38) surge began in the seventh. Down 4-2, Johnny Rizer walked with one out and then came home to score as Adam Hall ripped a double into the left field corner, making it a one-run game at 4-3. Hall then stole third on the very next pitch and then crossed the plate on a Zach Watson sacrifice fly, tying the game at 4-4.
Delmarva kept the mojo going in the bottom of the eighth. Seamus Curran beat out a one-out infield single. A passed ball allowed Curran to move to second, and Curran was then pinch run for by Cody Roberts. Before the next pitch could be thrown, Kannapolis' Declan Cronin balked, moving Roberts to third. Ben Breazeale then worked a walk, and after a strikeout, Jean Carlos Encarnacion punched a chopping RBI single to right, giving the Shorebirds their first lead of the game at 5-4. Johnny Rizer subsequently put the game to bed with a two-run triple to right center, pushing Delmarva up 7-4.
Juan Echevarria (2-0) collected the win out of the bullpen for the Shorebirds, tossing three shutout innings, allowing just one hit, walking two, and striking out three. Cronin (0-1) was hung with the loss for the Intimidators (24-23, 52-63) after allowing three runs in the eighth on three hits and one walk while striking out one. Ruben Garcia slammed the door shut in the ninth for his fourth save for Delmarva, striking out the side on just 10 pitches.
Kannapolis began the scoring with emphasis in the second. Cameron Simmons beat out an infield single with one away and moved to second when Tyler Osik drew a walk. Gunnar Troutwine then doubled to the wall in left, scoring Simmons and pushing Osik to third. After a strikeout, Roman Beltre dunked a single into center field, scoring two and putting the Intimidators ahead 3-0.
Delmarva responded with a run in the third. Alexis Torres picked up the first hit of the game for the Shorebirds with a one out single and two batters later Johnny Rizer singled him to third. Adam Hall then dropped an RBI single into right field to make it a 3-1 game.
The Shorebirds chipped away with another run in the fourth. Ryne Ogren singled to begin the inning and after a strikeout, Ben Breazeale drew a free pass. Torres then reached on another infield single to load the bases. Encarnacion then bounced into an RBI fielder's choice, bringing Delmarva to within one at 3-2.
The Intimidators recouped that run in the top of the fifth. Ian Dawkins worked a walk to start the inning and singles from Lenyn Sosa and Alex Destino loaded the bases. Romy Gonzalez then grounded out to the mound to score Dawkins and put Kannapolis up by two, 4-2.
Echevarria came in in the sixth and worked around a pair of walks in the seventh, setting up the Shorebirds' dramatic comeback.
Hall picked up his 38th multi-hit game of the season for the Shorebirds, going 2-for-5 with a double, two RBIs, a run, and stolen base. Rizer also had two hits and two RBIs, finishing 2-for-4 with a triple, run scored, and a walk. Encarnacion continued his torrid pace as of late by chipping in two RBIs as well. Torres also picked up two hits, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Kannapolis had seven hits in the game, spread out amongst seven players. Beltre knocked in two runs with his lone base hit while Troutwine went 1-for-4 with an RBI double and run scored.
Drew Rom made the start for Delmarva but did not factor into the decision. Rom went five innings, allowing four runs on five hits while walking three and striking out a career high-tying nine.
Davis Martin started for Kannapolis and went four innings, allowing two runs on three hits, three walks, and five strikeouts in a no-decision.
The Shorebirds and Intimidators lock horns again on Saturday night. No. 2 Orioles prospect Grayson Rodriguez (8-3, 2.87) goes for Delmarva while Kannapolis hands the ball to Jason Bilous (5-6, 3.02). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 4:00 for batting practice. Saturday night at Perdue Stadium is Moutaire Farms Family night with Q105 postgame fireworks presented by Mountaire Farms. Pregame coverage on Fox Sports 960 AM and the MiLB First Pitch App begins at 6:50 with Will DeBoer and Sam Jellinek on the call.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 9, 2019
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- Mauricio Shines in Friday Night Slugfest - Columbia Fireflies
- Canaan Smith's Late Heroics Push the RiverDogs Past Hickory - Charleston RiverDogs
- 'Birds Stun K-Town with Five Unanswered - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Suns Sweep Doubleheader vs Lexington - Hagerstown Suns
- Legends Can't Plate Enough Krabby Patties in Doubleheader - Lexington Legends
- Tourists Come up One Run Short - Asheville Tourists
- Sanders' Dinger, Strong Bullpen Lead to 3-1 Win - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Claws Fall 3-1 to West Virginia on Friday Night - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Rome Braves, Augusta GreenJackets Game Postponed - Rome Emperors
- Fireflies Game Notes: August 9 vs. Greenville (Game 113) - Columbia Fireflies
- Hagerstown Suns: Game Notes - Hagerstown Suns
- Pitching Staff Shuts Down Delmarva in 2-1 Victory - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- RiverDogs Get Dumber in Upcoming Homestand - Charleston RiverDogs
- Braves Open Crucial Series with Dominant 7-0 Win - Rome Emperors
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