SAL1 Delmarva Shorebirds

'Hoppers Use 7-Run Eighth to Shock 'Birds, 9-8

Published on August 27, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release


Greensboro, N.C. - The Greensboro Grasshoppers scored seven runs in the eighth inning to steal game two from the Delmarva Shorebirds, 9-8, at NewBridge Bank Park on Saturday night. The Shorebirds have dropped six straight games.

The Shorebirds used three errors in the second by Greensboro to grab an early 2-0 lead. Jacob Julius reached on an error by first baseman Mark Canha to open the inning. Julius reached second on a passed ball. Then, Joe Oliveira placed a bunt up the third baseline and the catcher Jacob Realmuto sailed the throw to first base up the right field line, allowing Julius to score. Brenden Webb dropped a sacrifice bunt to advance Oliveira to third. Mikey Planeta followed with an RBI single into left-center field to give the Shorebirds a 2-0 edge.

The Grasshoppers had an immediate response in the bottom of the second. Aaron Dudley hit a one out double down the right field line. Two batters later, Isaac Galloway hit a single up the middle to cut the deficit to 2-1.

In the third, the Shorebirds tacked on a run. John Ruettiger hit a laser line drive to the right field wall to open the inning at second. Riley Hornback placed a sacrifice bunt to advance Ruettiger to third. Then, Ty Kelly hit a roller through the right side of the infield to give the Shorebirds a 3-1 lead.

The Shorebirds increased their lead to 7-1 in the fourth inning. Mike Mooney drew a leadoff walk. Ruettiger followed with a single through the right side of the infield. Then, Kelly hit a sharp infield single to short to load the bases. Julius drew a walk from relief pitcher Benjamin Mincy to force in Mooney. Then, Oliveira hit a chopper up the middle that shortstop Dan Black mishandled, allowing Ruettiger to score. Brenden Webb followed with a two-run ground ball single up the middle that popped out of the glove of second baseman Noah Perio, who was forced to his right and back on the grass.

Isaac Galloway hit a one out line drive homer over the right-center field wall to trim the deficit to 7-2.

Tim Berry was strong over five innings. He scattered five hits and allowed two runs. Berry fanned four batters and did not issue a walk.

The Shorebirds tacked on a run in the eighth inning. Kelly drew a one out walk and stole second base. Then, with two outs, Oliveira looped a single into shallow left-center field to increase the lead to 8-2.

Orioles third round pick in 2011, Mike Wright, entered in the sixth inning and dominated the Grasshoppers over his first two innings. He struck out four batters in his first two innings.

In the eighth, the 'Hoppers scored five runs off Wright to trim the deficit to 8-7. The first three batters reached. Then, Christian Yelich hit a grounder into right field to cut the deficit to 8-3. Mark Canha followed with a grand slam home run over the left-center field wall. Kyle Simon replaced Wright after a single by Aaron Dudley. Dan Black rolled a single to right field to advance pinch runner Joe Bonadonna to third. After the second out was recorded, Simon tossed a wild pitch to tie the game at 8-8. Then, Ryan Fisher doubled to score Black, which gave the Grasshoppers their first lead of the night.

Jordan Conley retired the Shorebirds in order in the ninth to end the game and pick up his second save of the season.

Greensboro reliever Mike Ojala earned the win over two innings. Simon was pinned with the loss.

Ruettiger paced the Shorebirds offensively with a 3-for-5 night. Kelly went 2-for-4.

The Shorebirds and Grasshoppers play game three of the series on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. RHP Jake Cowan is the scheduled starter for Delmarva.

Check out the Delmarva Shorebirds Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 27, 2011


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