Ferguson, Bullpen Carry 'Birds in Eleven
July 21, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release
CHARLESTON, WV - Jaylen Ferguson's RBi single in the 11th inning proved to be enough as the Delmarva Shorebirds upended the West Virginia Power, winning 3-2 to clinch the series on Sunday afternoon at Appalachian Power Park.
With the game tied 2-2, Alexis Torres led off the top of the 11th on second base and advanced to third on a deep flyout by Edison Lantigua. That brought up Ferguson, who pegged a liner over the drawn-in infield and into center for a base hit, scoring Torres to put the Shorebirds (21-10, 69-31) up 3-2.
Ruben Garcia came in out of the bullpen for Delmarva in the bottom of the 11th and started with Julio Rodriguez at second base. Bobby Honeyman led off and flew out to center, allowing Rodriguez to take third. Oniel Pena then drew a walk and advanced to second on defensive indifference when Mike Salvatore struck out. With the tying and winning runs in scoring position, Garcia locked in and got Jake Anchia to pop out to short, putting it to bed.
Reed Hayes (2-0) earned the win in his third appearance of the series, pitching a perfect 10th inning. Kyle Hill (1-1) took the loss for the Power (15-16, 52-49), allowing the free runner to score in the 11th. Garcia's save was his first of the season and came after he pitched 2.2 innings to win on Friday night.
For the fourth straight game the Power took the lead in the first inning. Ryan Ramiz led off with a lazy popup to shallow right, but Torres lost track of the ball and dropped it, allowing Ramiz to take second. After two outs, Bobby Honeyman poked a single to center, scoring Ramiz to make it 1-0 West Virginia.
West Virginia added one more in the fifth. Manny Pazos worked a one-out walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored two batters later on a base knock by Matt Sanders to put the Power up 2-0.
The Shorebirds got back into the game in the sixth. Ferguson sparked a rally, belting a two-out triple that got trapped in the left field corner. Robert Neustrom followed by rolling a single through the right side, scoring Ferguson to get the Shorebirds back within 2-1.
Pinch-hitting for the pitcher's slot because of an earlier ejection that forced Delmarva to abandon the designated hitter, Will Robertson led off the eighth inning with a single. Torres followed with a soft liner into right center for his own base hit, allowing Robertson to take third. Lantigua then hit into a double play, but Robertson came home with the tying run to make it 2-2.
Neither side could score in the ninth nor advance their free runner in the 10th inning, setting up Ferguson's heroics in the 11th.
Ferguson, who celebrated his 22nd birthday in style, went 3-for-5 with a triple, run, stolen base, and the game-winning RBI for the Shorebirds.
Honeyman accounted for three out of the Power's four hits on the day, going 3-for-5 with an RBI. He drove in a first-inning run in all four games of the series.
Ryan Wilson saw his six-game Quality Start streak come to come to an end but still put up solid numbers for Delmarva, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits in five innings, walking two and striking out seven. Running on fumes after heavy usage all series, the Shorebird bullpen held the Power to just one hit over six scoreless frames. Jose Alejandro tossed two scoreless in his team debut, while Felix Bautista managed the eighth and ninth without an issue before the baton passed to Hayes and then Garcia.
West Virginia's Ryne Inman finally solved the Shorebirds in his third start against them, allowing one run on four hits in a six-inning no-decision while walking none and fanning nine.
With a win the Shorebirds eclipsed their win total from all of 2018 when the team went 68-66. At 69-31 through 100 games, Delmarva is on pace to go 96-43 with 39 regular season games to go.
After a Monday off, the Shorebirds open a seven-game homestand with the first of three against the Greenville Drive on Tuesday night. Hector Guance (7-3, 3.79) toes the rubber for Delmarva against a Greenville starter to be determined. First pitch at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium is set for for 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 6:00. Tuesday at Perdue Stadium is Wag Your Tail Tuesday presented by Concord Pet Foods and Supplies. Pregame coverage on Fox Sports 960 AM and the MiLB First Pitch App begins at 6:50 with Will DeBoer and Sam Jellinek on the call.
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