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SAL1 Delmarva Shorebirds

Delmarva Speeds Past Drive, 9-4

August 20, 2015 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release


SALISBURY, Md. -- The Delmarva Shorebirds returned home in style with a 9-4 victory over the Greenville Drive on Thursday evening. Delmarva (27-26, 60-61) sparked a six-run rally in the fourth inning to win the series opener, their first meeting against Greenville since 2013.

Ademar Rifaela got the scoring started with a leadoff home run in the first inning, his fifth long ball of the season. It was the second leadoff home run of the season for Rifaela, duplicating the feat from July 24th at Riley Park in Charleston.

Francisco Jimenez made his Shorebirds' debut, starting the game in place of Brian Gonzalez, who was placed on the disabled list. Jimenez suffered some poor luck in the third inning as Greenville scored three runs on five singles with several bloop base hits and an infield chopper. Jimenez finished four innings, allowing three runs on seven hits in his first start at the full-season level.

Delmarva turned the game with a six-run fourth inning off Drive starter Jeffry Fernandez. Riley Palmer laced an RBI double to tie the game at 3-3, his fifth double in nine games since his return from the disabled list. Palmer scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Steel Russell. Ronarsy Ledesma lined an RBI single to left field, and T.J. Olesczuk drove home two more as Delmarva batted around for a 7-3 lead.

Mike Burke pitched three hitless innings in relief, though he did give up a run in the seventh. A walk, followed by back-to-back balks, set up a sacrifice fly by Andrew Benintendi. Burke received the win for Delmarva, his first as a Shorebird. Max Schuh finished the game with two scoreless frames in relief.

The Shorebirds capped the scoring with a two-run single by Jomar Reyes for a 9-4 final. Rifaela starred in the offensive effort, going 3-for-3 with a home run, a double and a walk. The Shorebirds' outfielder was a triple shy of the cycle, but did not receive another at-bat after a seventh inning double.

Delmarva has now won five of its last seven games, after two straight series victories against the Lakewood BlueClaws. On Friday evening, Dennis Torres (0-0, -.--) will start game two for Delmarva against left-hander Dedgar Jimenez (6-9, 4.57). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

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