SAL1 Delmarva Shorebirds

Delmarva Squeaks Past Hickory, 5-4

Published on August 4, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release


SALISBURY, Md. -- The Delmarva Shorebirds evened up their series with the Hickory Crawdads with a 5-4 victory on Tuesday night. Delmarva (22-16, 55-51) eked out a tight game where both teams traded punches throughout the evening.

The seesaw battle began in the first inning. After a 58-minute weather delay, the Shorebirds broke the ice in the first inning. Back-to-back walks started the frame, setting up Logan Uxa's two-out RBI single for a 1-0 lead. Hickory responded immediately with a two-out RBI single by Carlos Arroyo in the second.

The Shorebirds bounced in front again in the third inning. Ademar Rifaela led off with a hit-by-pitch, and Jomar Reyes drove in the run with a line drive single. Hickory came right back with three straight singles in the fifth for a 2-2 tie.

Reyes belted an RBI double in the fifth, just staying in the ballpark after bouncing off the top of the wall back into play. Reyes finished the game at 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. The Crawdads tied it once again with a triple by Arroyo and RBI grounder by Eduard Pinto in the sixth.

Rifaela gave the Shorebirds the decisive lead in the bottom half of the sixth. Steel Russell led off with a single, and Hickory pulled their starter Nick Gardewine with two outs. On the first pitch from reliever Kelvin Vasquez, Rifaela crushed a two-run home run to left field for a 5-3 lead.

Hickory threatened for a comeback, but Delmarva repeatedly danced out of danger. The Crawdads scored one run in the seventh on a two-out RBI single from Juremi Profar. Stefan Crichton managed to strand the tying run on third base.

In the ninth, Ivan Hernandez walked the tightrope again. Edwin Garcia led off with a double, and Jose Trevino bounced a single for runners on the corners with no outs. Hernandez struck out Luke Tendler and then induced a game-saving double play against Jairo Beras.

Shorebirds' starter Matthew Grimes received a no-decision while allowing two runs (one earned) in five innings. Stefan Crichton earned the win for Delmarva, while Ivan Hernandez picked up his second save. Kelvin Vasquez took the loss for the Crawdads, as the series is now even at one game apiece.

Delmarva and Hickory will play the rubber match in Wednesday's finale. Two southpaws square off, left-hander John Means (8-7, 3.48) will start for the first time since his no-hitter against Hickory's Shane McCain (1-1, 1.96). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Check out the Delmarva Shorebirds Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 4, 2015


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