Five-Run Eighths Powers 'Birds over Suns
June 30, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release
HAGERSTOWN, MD - The Delmarva Shorebirds scored five runs in a big eighth inning on the way to claiming the series over the Hagerstown Suns, winning 7-3 on Sunday afternoon at Municipal Stadium.
Down 3-2 after seven, Cody Roberts and Ben Breazeale punched back-to-back one-out singles in the top of the eighth. After a strikeout, Adam Hall rolled a sharp single to right. Roberts got the green light from third and scored standing up, just ahead of a throw from right, to tie the game at 3-3. Hall then took second base after nobody covered the bag. Robert Neustrom came up next and slashed a sharp liner down the first base line that glanced off Trey Vickers' mitt and harmlessly into shallow right. Breazeale and Hall both scored on Neustrom's two-run base hit, giving the Shorebirds (9-2, 57-23) their first lead at 5-3.
Cadyn Grenier then clubbed a line drive into the jet stream in right center and just over the wall for a two-run homer, his sixth of the year, making it a five-spot in the frame and a 7-3 Shorebird lead.
The Suns (3-8, 33-48) got one more baserunner the rest of the way as Gray Fenter shut it down for a 1-2-3 eighth and Reeds Hayes finished off a scoreless ninth, clinching the Shorebirds' third straight series win to begin the second half.
Fenter (6-1) worked 3.1 strong innings in relief for the win, allowing one run on one hit with three walks and four strikeouts. Chandler Day (1-1) took the loss after giving up all five runs in the eighth.
Hagerstown took initial control against Delmarva starter Drew Rom in the bottom of the fourth. Jackson Cluff led off with an infield hit and Kyle Marinconz followed with a walk. Tyler Croply then laid down a perfect bunt for a single, loading the bases. After Rom struck out one batter and got another to ground into a fielder's choice at the plate for two outs, Cody Wilson rolled one up the middle that Grenier kept on the infield, but Marinconz scored and everybody else got in safely. Justin Connell then worked a walk to force in another, giving the Suns an early 2-0 lead.
The teams traded a run each in the sixth. Grenier scored from third on a two-out strikeout-wild pitch in the top of the inning, while Gilbert Lara laced a two-out RBI single to cancel that run out in the home half.
Nick Horvath led off the seventh with a single, then Hall worked a walk to put two on. Horvath stole third base, Hall advanced to second on a wild pitch soon after, and Neustrom plated one with a sac fly to right, cutting the Shorebird deficit to 3-2. That would be their only run in the seventh, but Delmarva set themselves up for a big eighth to win it.
Neustrom finished 1-for-3 with a run and three RBIs to lead the Shorebirds, while Grenier went 2-for-3 with his two-run homer and two runs scored. Roberts had two hits, including the rally-starter in the eighth, and scored the first of the five runs.
Wilson went 2-for-4 with two infield hits, a walk, a run, and an RBI at the top of the lineup for the Suns. Five of Hagerstown's nine hits on the day stayed in the infield.
Rom lasted 4.2 innings in a no-decision, giving up two runs on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Jake Irvin went five-plus in a no-decision for the Suns, giving up one run on four hits with three walks and eight punchouts.
The Shorebirds flip the calendar to July with a new series in Lakewood against the BlueClaws, beginning on Monday night. Top Orioles prospect Grayson Rodriguez (7-1, 2.21) will make the start for Delmarva, his last one before heading to the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, while Lakewood turns to Victor Santos (3-6, 3.30). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., and pregame coverage on Fox Sports 960 AM and the MiLB First Pitch App begins at 6:50 with Will DeBoer on the call.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 30, 2019
- Sharp Triples, Fireflies Fall in Hickory Finale - Columbia Fireflies
- Offense Shines Again for Series Victory - Augusta GreenJackets
- Dogs Offense Goes Cold in Series Finale - Charleston RiverDogs
- Getaway Win; Lackey Leads Pitching Attack - Asheville Tourists
- Five-Run Eighths Powers 'Birds over Suns - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Ramiz's Late-Inning Heroics Lead to 9-8 Walk-Off Win - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Tough Day for Bullpen in 7-3 Loss - Hagerstown Suns
- Rome's Big Seventh Inning Downs Drive - Greenville Drive
- Hoppers Roll to 10-1 Win over Claws on Sunday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Fireflies Game Notes: June 30 vs. Hickory (Game 77) - Columbia Fireflies
- Hagerstown Suns: Game Notes - Hagerstown Suns
- Game Notes (June 30) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Braves Win 7-6 and Take Series from Drive - Rome Emperors
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