SAL1 Delmarva Shorebirds

Can't Win 'Em All, 'Birds Fall 3-2

Published on May 10, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release


It was a night full of faulty firsts for Delmarva, the sum of which resulted in a 3-2 loss at the hands of the Lexington Legends.

Prior to Saturday evening, the Shorebirds were 15-0 on the season when surrendering three runs or less. In addition, the Birds had Luis Noel on the hill, and Delmarva had won each of Noel's previous six starts on the year. These marks of perfection all went to the wayside as Lexington eked out a narrow victory, hanging on despite Delmarva's ninth inning rally.

Heading into the eighth, Lexington clung to a 2-1 lead when Delmarva threatened to equalize the contest. With one out, the Shorebirds put runners on first and third and appeared to be in a great position to even the proceedings or take their first lead of the night. But a lazy pop-up and strike out ended the frame as Delmarva came up empty.

In the home half of the eighth, the Legends were able to add a major insurance run without the benefit of a hit. Ryan Adams' 20th error of the season at second base became a leadoff gift, and after a walk, a sacrifice bunt, and an intentional pass, the bases were loaded for Lexington center-fielder Brandon Barnes. Barnes battled with Shorebirds reliever Shane Mathews to a full-count, and eventually received ball four, forcing in the Legends' third run.

Down by a pair with two down in the top of the ninth, Delmarva would show signs of life. Catcher Wally Crancer launched his first home run of the season over the right-field wall to narrow the gap between the two clubs. The next batter, Kieron Pope, fought his way out of a hole in the count and lined a two-strike fastball down the right field line for a double, placing the tying run in scoring position. Seemingly revived, the Shorebirds were finally finished when Adams popped up to the shortstop in shallow left-center field.

The loss snaps Delmarva's three game winning streak, but the Shorebirds still lead the four game series in Lexington 2-1. The Birds remain in second place in the Northern Division, but drop a game in the standings due to Captain's 9-0 win over the Grasshoppers. Heading into Sunday, Delmarva resides two games behind the Lake County.

Check out the Delmarva Shorebirds Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 10, 2008


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