SAL1 Delmarva Shorebirds

Hagerstown Spoil Shorebirds' Home Opener

Published on April 14, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release


SALISBURY, MD - The Shorebirds left eight runners on base, including six in scoring position, in a home-opening loss to the Hagerstown Suns on Thursday night. In front of 3,752 fans, Delmarva finished the contest 0-10 at the plate with runners in scoring position.

Francisco Jimenez labored in his first start of the season. He lasted just three innings, surrendering three earned runs on four base hits in taking his first loss of the year. Jimenez struck out five and walked two in his 69-pitch performance.

The Suns got on the board in the top of the first inning when Ryan Ripken singled home Kelvin Gutierrez. Gutierrez reached on a hustle-double to medium-deep right field and advanced to third on a balk before the start of Ripken's at bat. One pitch later, the Suns had the early lead.

They added to it when Jimenez got into trouble in the top of the second inning. Ian Sagdal took a free pass, Jakson Reetz singled and Edwin Lora walked to open the frame and load the bases. Jimenez buckled down to strike out both Telmito Agustin and Victor Robles on well-placed fastballs up in the zone. But Max Schrock wouldn't let the inning fall apart. Schrock blooped a 1-2 heater into shallow left-center field for a 2-run single to extend Hagerstown's lead to 3-0.

That was all the offense that Matthew Crownover needed. In his first start of the campaign, the southpaw went five scoreless innings for Hagerstown, scattering five hits and punching out six for his first win of 2016. The Shorebirds fell to 0-4 on the year when facing a left-handed starting pitcher.

Delmarva managed to push across a run in the home half of the seventh inning without the benefit of a base hit. Lefty Connor Bach walked Drew Turbin and Cedric Mullins to start the inning, and both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. A few pitches later, Ademar Rifaela hit a grounder to second base to score Turbin. Unfortunately, Rifaela was the first of nine straight Shorebirds that were sent down in order by Bach and closer Mick VanVossen to end the evening. VanVossen earned his first save.

Elias Pinales looked good in relief for the 'Birds, hurling four scoreless innings in his second outing of the year. Pinales allowed three hits and struck out two.

The last run of the night came in the ninth against Shorebirds' reliever Jay Flaa on a two out, RBI single to right field by Gutierrez. Flaa has allowed only that one run in his three outings so far.

The Shorebirds are back at it tomorrow night with a 7:05 showdown against the Suns in the second game of the four game set. The broadcast of the game will air live on FOX Sports AM 960 in Salisbury.

Check out the Delmarva Shorebirds Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from April 14, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central