Shorebirds' Bats Hot on Chilly Opening Night
April 9, 2015 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release
Delmarva Shorebirds vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers
(Delmarva Shorebirds, Credit: Joey Gardner)
SALISBURY, Md. -- The Delmarva Shorebirds thumped the visiting Greensboro Grasshoppers on Opening Night of the 2015 regular season. With seven runs in the first inning and dominant pitching throughout the game, Delmarva cruised to a 10-0 victory.
The Shorebirds did not waste time in establishing a lead on Thursday's opener. In the bottom of the first inning, Delmarva jumped all over Grasshoppers' starter Michael Mader. Two walks and a single set up a bases loaded opportunity for Elier Leyva. Playing in his first game in the Orioles' organization, Leyva lined an RBI single to right field, bringing in a second run as Soto bobbled the ball.
After an infield single, Breen took a hit-by-pitch to force in a third run. With the bases still loaded, Jonah Heim sliced a bases-clearing double to right, running Mader from the game with a 6-0 score in the opening frame. Yet another run scored as Gonzalez laced an RBI single off Jose Arias.
John Means impressed in his Shorebirds' debut, not surrendering a base hit until the fifth inning. The only baserunner for Greensboro in the first four innings came off a fielding error. K.J. Woods broke the drought with a double to left with one out in the fifth. Means finished with a career-high seven strikeouts in six innings, the longest outing of his career.
Delmarva tacked on a few more in the fourth and fifth innings. Alex Murphy collected RBI singles in both frames, while Gonzalez drove home a run as well. With a 10-0 lead, the Shorebirds' bullpen eased to the finish line. Zeke McGranahan did not allow a hit in two scoreless innings, and Donnie Hart closed out the win in the ninth.
Means (1-0) earned a win in his first start in full-season ball, while Mader took a loss in just 2/3 innings of work. Murphy finished 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBIs. Gonzalez went 1-for-3 with two walks, two runs scored, two RBIs and two stolen bases.
The Shorebirds continue the four-game set against the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Friday night. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Shorebirds' rally towel. Right-hander Tanner Chleborad starts for Delmarva against Greensboro righty Jose Adames. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.
Images from this story
 Delmarva Shorebirds vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers (Joey Gardner) |
 Delmarva Shorebirds vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers (Joey Gardner) |
 Delmarva Shorebirds vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers (Joey Gardner) |
 Delmarva Shorebirds vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers (Joey Gardner) |
 Delmarva Shorebirds vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers (Joey Gardner) |
 Delmarva Shorebirds vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers (Joey Gardner) |
 Delmarva Shorebirds vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers (Joey Gardner) |
 Delmarva Shorebirds vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers (Joey Gardner) |
South Atlantic League Stories from April 9, 2015
- Jemiola Dominant in Tourists Opening Day Victory - Asheville Tourists
- RiverDogs Fall 3-2 in Season Opener - Charleston RiverDogs
- Power Wins 2015 Opener in 10 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Crawdads K Suns 5-2 on Opening Night - Hickory Crawdads
- Shorebirds' Bats Hot on Chilly Opening Night - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Opening Night Game Goes to Asheville, 4-3 - Rome Emperors
- Drive Walk off with Win in Season Opener - Greenville Drive
- Legends Pitchers Fan 15 in 3-2 Win over Charleston - Lexington Legends
- Suns Fall to Crawdads in Opener 5-2 - Hagerstown Suns
- Tocci Delivers BlueClaws 2-1 Walk-Off Win on Opening Night - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Guerrero Goes 6.0 Scoreless, But BlueClaws Win with Walk-Off - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Legends Home Opener Includes Music, Prizes, Fireworks and More - Lexington Legends
- WV Power Game Notes - April 9, 2015 vs. Savannah - Charleston Dirty Birds
- West Virginia Power Announce 2015 Opening Day Roster - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Pitching Prospect Adams, Olympian Alvarez Headline 2015 Roster - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
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.
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