'Birds Undone by Late FredNats Rally

July 31, 2021 - Carolina League (CarL)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release

FREDERICKSBURG, VA - Despite a valiant pitching performance, the Delmarva Shorebirds could not hold on to a late lead as they fell 2-1 on Saturday night at FredNats Ballpark.

In a contest that did not see a lot of offense, the Shorebirds (43-33) struck the first blow in the second inning off of the Nationals (26-51).

On the first pitch of the second, Cristopher Cespedes hammered a solo homer out to right, his 10th of the season, to put Delmarva ahead 1-0.

The Shorebirds weathered a couple of FredNats rallies to carry that lead into the bottom of the eighth.

With one away in the eighth, Junior Martina worked a walk before Jake Randa slashed a triple to score him and tie the game. During the next at-bat, Nick Roth balked on the mound for the Shorebirds, allowing Randa to score and give the FredNats their first and only lead of the game at 2-1.

The Shorebirds put together a rally in the ninth with a TT Bowens double and an intentional walk to Cespedes, but the FredNats managed to hold on for the 2-1 win.

Troy Stainbrook (2-1) earned the win in relief for the FredNats. He tossed two scoreless innings, allowing just a walk.

Roth (0-1) was stuck with the loss for Delmarva. Roth gave up two runs in the eighth on one hit and one walk, striking out two.

Amos Willingham collected his second save of the season with a scoreless ninth, conceding a hit and a walk while striking out one.

Starters for both sides were excellent but did not factor into the decision. Griffin McLarty went 4.2 shutout frames for Delmarva, working around four hits and four walks while striking out two. Michael Cuevas gave up one run on one hit for the FredNats in six innings, striking out six.

The Shorebirds had just three hits in the game, two of them belonged to Bowens who went 2-for-3 with a double.

The FredNats had plenty of chances and actually finished the game 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight despite coming away with the win.

The Shorebirds will try to earn a series split on Sunday, August 1 against the FredNats. Jake Lyons (2-1, 3.48) starts for Delmarva against Carlos Romero (2-3, 5.40) for the FredNats. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. from FredNats Ballpark with pregame coverage beginning at 5:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 960 AM as well as streaming online on the IHeart app with Sam Jellinek. MiLB.TV coverage will be provided by the FredNats.

Carolina League Stories from July 31, 2021

• Late Comeback Ends on Warning Track in 6-5 Loss to Columbia - Charleston RiverDogs
• Fireflies Hang on to Win 6-5 Saturday in Charleston - Columbia Fireflies
• Herz Leads Birds to Win with 9 Ks - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Randa's Heroics Spur 2-1 Win - Fredericksburg Nationals
• Thompson's Stellar Performance and Outburst from Offense Push Ballers Ahead Saturday Night - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Wood Ducks Rally Falls Short in Loss to Fayetteville - Down East Wood Ducks
• Late Inning Magic Falls Short, Pelicans Win 6-5 - Augusta GreenJackets
• 'Birds Undone by Late FredNats Rally - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Leandro Emiliani Placed on Injured List - Fredericksburg Nationals
• Jordy Barley Joins FredNats After Trade with Padres - Fredericksburg Nationals
• Down East Wood Ducks Game Notes - vs. Fayetteville - Down East Wood Ducks
• Columbia Fireflies Game Notes at Charleston - Columbia Fireflies
• Fifth Inning Rally Proves Too Much for Birds  - Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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