'Claws Upend 'Birds Late in Series Sweep
August 2, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release
SALISBURY, MD - The Delmarva Shorebirds lost their grip on a late inning lead, after the Lakewood BlueClaws tallied three runs in the eighth to roll to a 7-5 victory on Wednesday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. With the Shorebirds in the lead 5-4, Nick Maton singled with one out in the eighth inning, followed by a Matt Vierling double to put runners on second and third. Colby Fitch grounded to second base and Branden Becker made the play at the plate to gun down Maton. Quincy Nieporte delivered an RBI single to tie the game and then Josh Stephen belted a ball into right-center to plate two more runs giving Lakewood the 7-5 advantage
Delmarva had a chance to make their move in the ninth after Jean Carrillo led off the inning with a walk. After a flyout and a strikeout, Mason McCoy singled up the middle to set the table for Branden Becker. Becker grounded right back to the mound to end the ballgame and give Lakewood the series sweep.
Luis Cedeno (3-2) got the win for the BlueClaws after three innings of relief work, surrendering one hit, one walk, and striking out five. Tim Naughton (2-3) took the loss and the blown save after allowing four hits and three runs in his 1.2 innings. Conner Brogdon picked up his fourth save of the year after closing things down in the ninth.
Jhon Peluffo got the start for the Shorebirds and earned a no-decision after 6.1 innings where he gave up 9 hits, four runs, and struck out four. Damon Jones went five innings for the BlueClaws, giving up five runs on six hits, walking two, and striking out five.
The Shorebirds wasted no time getting on the board early in the bottom of the first inning. McCoy singled to lead off the frame and scored all the way from first when two batters later, Trevor Craport ripped a ball down the third base line for an RBI double to open up the scoring. Seamus Curran followed with an RBI single to right field, scoring Craport and giving the Shorebirds an early 2-0 lead.
Lakewood grabbed a run back in the second inning after they loaded the bases with a double, hit-by-pitch, and single. Two batters later, Josh Stephen grounded out to third base allowing Maton to score to make it a 2-1 game.
Max Hogan blasted a solo homerun to left field in the bottom of the second inning to give the Shorebirds a two run cushion again, but Vierling matched with a home run of his own in the fourth inning for a 3-2 game.
In the fourth, Craport led off with a double, followed by a Seamus Curran walk. Two batters later Hogan lifted a ball to center, that one-hopped the wall and scored plated two for the Shorebirds, making it a 5-2 game.
The long ball continued to be the story for the BlueClaws, who got solo homeruns from Daniel Brito in the fifth and Fitch in the seventh to make it a 5-4 game in route to the dramatic eighth inning.
Hogan finished 2-for-4 with a double, homerun, and three RBIs. Craport finished 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and an RBI.
Stephen finished 2-for-4 with 3 RBI in the win for the BlueClaws.
Delmarva will look to get back to their winning ways on Thursday when they welcome in the Charleston RiverDogs for a four-game series. Brandon Bonilla (0-0, 18.00) gets the start for the Shorebirds against Janson Junk (4-3, 4.18) for Charleston. Thursday is KISS 95.9 Thirsty Thursday presented by University Village at Salisbury and also Maryland Pride Thursday. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. Pregame coverage on Fox Sports 960 AM and the MiLB First Pitch App begins at 6:50 with Drew Williams on the call.
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