SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

Home Runs Down 'Dads in 4-1 Loss

Published on June 17, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads fell victim to the long ball Friday night, as the visiting Delmarva Shorebirds plated all of their runs on a pair of big flies to hand the 'Dads a 4-1 loss in front of 3,075 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium.

The two homers were the lone blemishes on what was otherwise solid outings by Crawdads pitchers Wes Benjamin and Joe Palumbo, who combined to strikeout 8 and allow only 6 hits aside from the long balls. The 'Dads bats meanwhile were held in check by Cristian Alvarado and the Delmarva pitching staff, with Jose Almonte's 2-out, RBI single in the 7th providing the club's lone run.

The loss stretches the Crawdads losing streak to 5, their longest of the season, while the win for the Shorebirds keeps alive their slim playoff hopes in the Northern Division as they are now 2 games back of first place Hagerstown with 3 games remaining before the All-Star break.

The home run troubles began for Hickory in the 1st inning, when Benjamin allowed a leadoff single before recording two quick outs to set up a seemingly harmless frame. The 'Dads starter then issued a walk to Yermin Mercedes however, which set the stage for Alex Murphy who lined the first pitch he saw over the fence in left-center field for a 3-run homer and a 3-0 Shorebirds lead.

Benjamin settled in following the 1st, with the southpaw shutting down Delmarva over the next four frames on just 3 hits. The 'Birds got back on the board against Palumbo in the 6th, as the Crawdads reliever gave up a solo shot to Mercedes to push the score to 4-0.

The 'Dads got on the board in the 7th, when Ti'Quan Forbes drew a 2-out walk, advanced to second on an errant pickoff throw by reliever Patrick Baker, and came home to score on an RBI base knock to center by Almonte to cut the deficit to 4-1. The Crawdads threatened to get back in the game the following inning when Frandy De La Rosa doubled to right, Dylan Moore walked, and Connor McKay drew a free pass to load the bases with two outs for Chuck Moorman. Shorebirds reliever Garrett Cleavenger was able to escape the jam however when Moorman tapped a ball back to the mound to end the inning. Cleavenger went on to strike out the side in the 9th to finish off the 4-1 'Dads defeat.

Benjamin (2-3) took the loss for the Crawdads with 3 runs allowed on 5 hits, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts over 5 innings pitched. Alvarado (5-4) earned the win for Delmarva after tossing 6 shutout innings on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 7 Ks, while Cleavenger (4) picked up the save with 1.1 perfect innings to end the game.

Almonte led the 'Dads bats with a 2-4 game including an RBI, while De La Rosa also had a multi-hit night going 2-4 with a double.

The Crawdads (37-30) and Shorebirds (40-26) will now play a doubleheader on Saturday to make up for a rained out game in Maryland earlier this season. First pitch for game one of the twin bill is scheduled for 5:00 pm.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 17, 2016


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