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SAL1 Delmarva Shorebirds

Rifaela Walks It off in 12th, 4-2

July 17, 2015 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release


SALISBURY, Md. -- The Delmarva Shorebirds won in dramatic fashion over the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Friday night, as Ademar Rifaela hit a walk-off two-run home run in the 12th inning. Delmarva (12-10, 45-45) won the series opener by a 4-2 final score with their third walk-off victory of the season.

The night started with Arturo Rodriguez hitting a solo home run in the first inning for a 1-0 Greensboro lead. Shorebirds' starter Brian Gonzalez settled in after the home run, not surredering another hit until the sixth inning.

Logan Uxa and Cam Kneeland ripped back-to-back doubles in the fourth inning to put Delmarva on the board. Uxa's double extended his hitting streak to nine games, his longest of the season. Elier Leyva lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Kneeland, handing the Shorebirds a 2-1 lead.

Brian Schales reached on an infield single for the final batter that Gonzalez faced. Schales eventually scored when Leyva misplayed a flyball to right field, getting turned around and dropping the catch with two outs in sixth. Gonzalez finished with a no-decision despite just two runs allowed (one earned) on two hits in five innings.

The scoring came to a complete standstill as both teams left the go-ahead run in scoring position in multiple situations. Uxa made an incredible diving stop at first base to save a run in the eighth inning, taking a hit and RBI away from K.J. Woods. Delmarva had the leadoff runner aboard in the eighth and ninth innings without scoring, forcing the game into extras.

The Shorebirds missed chances in the 10th and 11th inning as well, unable to convert with leadoff runners on again. In the 12th, Delmarva came through after another leadoff single by Oswill Lartiguez. With two outs, Rifaela crushed his second home run of the year, clearing the right field fence with ease. For Delmarva, it was the third walk-off win of the season, and the second walk-off home run with Uxa's walk-off grand slam on June 29th.

The bullpen pitched a gem, combining for seven scoreless innings. Stefan Crichton tossed three scoreless frames, followed by Garrett Cortright's two shutout innings. Ivan Hernandez earned the win, retiring all six batters he faced in the 11th and 12th.

Delmarva will try to build off the exciting victory with another fireworks night at Perdue Stadium on Saturday. Right-hander Matthew Grimes (7-5, 4.14) gets the ball for the Shorebirds against Greensboro right-hander Jorgan Cavanerio (0-4, 5.21). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 17, 2015


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