Errors Doom 'Birds in Loss to Red Sox
June 16, 2021 - Carolina League (CarL)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release
SALISBURY, MD - Costly errors came back to haunt the Delmarva Shorebirds as they fell 8-5 to the Salem Red Sox on Wednesday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.
With the loss, the Shorebirds (23-13) have now been defeated in three straight contests for the first time this season. The Red Sox (21-17) are now just three games back of the Shorebirds in the division with the win.
The scoring started early and often in the top of the first for Salem. Nick Yorke singled to open the game before Gilberto Jimenez dropped down a bunt that resulted in a throwing error allowing Jimenez to reach while Yorke went to third. After a strikeout, Jimenez stole second with the throw going into centerfield on the play allowing Yorke to score the first run of the game. Joe Davis then reached on a fielder's choice as Jimenez beat the tag at third on a grounder. With men at the corners, Jaxx Groshans stroked a double to right-center, scoring Jimenez while Davis went to third. Ceddanne Rafaela then bounced a ball to shortstop that coaxed a throwing error allowing him to reach safely with Davis scoring on the play to cap the inning off with Salem up 3-0.
The Shorebirds responded immediately, however. Mason Janvrin doubled to start the frame before Darell Hernaiz reached on a dropped third strike with a throwing error allowing him to go to second while Janvrin scored on the play. After a groundout, Gunnar Henderson ripped a single to right to score Hernaiz and bring the Shorebirds to within one. After a groundout moved Henderson to second, Dylan Harris brought him in with a single to center to tie the game at 3-3.
In the third, Gunnar Henderson started a rally with two away as he belted a double to right. A passed ball moved him to third before TT Bowens drew a walk. Harris continued his fine day as he smoked a double to right, scoring Henderson and Bowens, to put Delmarva up 5-3.
From that point going forward it was all Salem, however. Wil Dalton hustled out a double with one away before Nick Yorke was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch advanced both runners and Jimenez then legged out an infield single to score Dalton. A wild pitch then allowed Yorke to score, tying the game at 5-5.
Salem then took the lead in the sixth. Dalton reached on a throwing error that put him at second before advancing to third on a balk. Yorke brought him in to take the lead for Salem, 6-5, with a flare to center.
The Red Sox got insurance runs in the eighth and ninth on solo homers from Dalton, his fourth of the year, and Groshans, his fifth, to help secure the 8-5 win.
Jordan DiValerio (6-1) garnered the win out of the bullpen for Salem. Divalerio tossed two scoreless innings, allowing just a hit while striking out three.
Zach Peek (1-2) suffered the loss for Delmarva. Peek allowed three runs (two earned) in 3.2 innings on five hits and two walks, striking out five.
Cody Scroggins earned his second save of the year for Salem with a perfect ninth, striking out two.
Starters for neither team factored into the decision. Houston Roth began the game for Delmarva and went one-third of a frame, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk, striking out one. Ryan Zeferjahn started for Salem and went four innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk, striking out five.
Henderson (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Harris (3-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI) combined for five of the six Delmarva hits on the day.
Salem totaled 11 hits as a team, but it was Groshans who shined the brightest. The Salem catcher finished 3-for-4 with a homer and two driven in.
The Shorebirds and Red Sox go toe-to-toe once more on Thursday, June 17, at Perdue Stadium. Houston Roth (1-1, 4.50) starts for Delmarva against Bradley Blalock (0-2, 4.87) for Salem. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning at 6:50 p.m. on Fox Sports 960 AM and MiLB.TV with Sam Jellinek on the call.
Carolina League Stories from June 16, 2021
- Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short in 7-5 Loss to Augusta - Columbia Fireflies
- Hillcats Rally Late in Win over FredNats - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Errors Doom 'Birds in Loss to Red Sox - Delmarva Shorebirds
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- Down East Wood Ducks Game Notes - vs. Kannapolis - Down East Wood Ducks
- Fifth Annual 'Legends in the South' Rosters Announced - Charleston RiverDogs
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes vs Augusta - Columbia Fireflies
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