SAL1 Delmarva Shorebirds

Delmarva Edges Lakewood for Series Win, 7-5

Published on July 2, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release


SALISBURY, Md. -- The Delmarva Shorebirds pulled out another tight victory with a 7-5 final score over the Lakewood BlueClaws on Thursday night. Delmarva (6-2, 39-37) extended their winning streak to four games, having now won both home series to start the second half.

Matthew Grimes and Ranfi Casimiro began in a pitchers' duel, with Lakewood scoring a single tally in the third inning on a two-out single by Scott Kingery. The 1-0 BlueClaws' lead lasted until the bottom of the fifth when the Shorebirds finally broke through.

The inital run scored on a wild play involving two Lakewood errors. With Steve Wilkerson on first base, T.J. Olesczuk chopped an infield single to third base. Two errant throws by the BlueClaws allowed Wilkerson to score in the scramble. Elier Leyva ripped an RBI double to the left field corner to put the Shorebirds in front, 2-1.

Lakewood tied the game with another two-out RBI single, this one by Kyle Martin in the sixth. Delmarva jumped back in front on a solo home run by Jared Breen, the first of his professional career. With two in scoring position, T.J. Olesczuk sent a bouncer to centerfield, hustling to second for a two-run double when no BlueClaws covered the extra bag.

The BlueClaws deadlocked the contest again with three runs in the seventh. Grimes exited his start after two singles to start the frame. Reliever Nigel Nootbaar walked a batter, and then each runner eventually scored on two RBI grounders and a wild pitch.

Tied again, now at 5-5, Delmarva took the lead for good after the seventh inning stretch. Riley Palmer reached on a dropped third strike, and then promptly stole second and third base. Ademar Rifaela punched an RBI double the opposite way for a 6-5 lead. The Shorebirds tacked on an insurance run with an RBI double by Logan Uxa in the eighth inning.

Caleb Kellogg held on to the lead with a hitless eighth inning in his Shorebirds' debut. Garrett Cortright closed out the win with a perfect ninth inning for his seventh save of the year. Nootbaar receives credit for the win, while Matt Hockenberry takes a loss despite only allowing an unearned run.

The Shorebirds go for a series sweep and five-game winning streak on Friday night. Southpaw John Means (5-4, 4.29) gets the ball for Delmarva against Lakewood right-hander Chris Oliver (3-5, 4.22). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Check out the Delmarva Shorebirds Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 2, 2015


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