Shorebirds Can't Hold Early Lead in Fourth Straight Loss
Published on April 16, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release
SALISBURY, MD - Yermin Mercedes drove in two early runs for the Shorebirds to give Delmarva the lead after three innings, but the Hagerstown Suns responded with five unanswered runs to win their sixth consecutive game, 8-4. The Shorebirds dropped their fourth in a row in front of their biggest crowd of the year (5,514).
Cristian Alvarado didn't find the same success on Saturday night that he had against Hagerstown last week. Alvarado (1-1) allowed five runs in 4.1 innings of work and took his first loss of the season.
Hagerstown (7-3) wasted little time getting on the board, as Matthew Page drove in Ian Sagdal in the top of the first. Page finished the game with four RBI's after having the game's only RBI in Friday night's 1-0 win for the Suns.
The Shorebirds (4-6) answered with runs in both the first and second inning. Mercedes got the first of his two RBI's in the first inning by driving in Cedric Mullins, while Mullins' RBI triple in the second scored Natanael Delgado to give the 'Birds the lead.
After Hagerstown scored twice in the top of the third inning, the Shorebirds retook the lead in the bottom of the third with two runs of their own. Mercedes singled around an infield shift to drive in D.J. Stewart to tie the game 3-3, and later came around to score on a two-out error by the pitcher Joan Baez. Delgado hit a grounder to first baseman Ryan Ripken, who fielded the ball going to his right. Baez raced to cover the bag, but he took his eye off the throw and it went past him toward the dugout, scoring Mercedes.
Ricardo Andujar knocked a one out single to center field in the bottom of the fourth. It was the last baserunner of the game for Delmarva, as relievers Jorge Pantoja and Tommy Peterson locked things down the remainder of the game. The last 17 Shorebirds to bat were sent down in order.
Hagerstown took the lead with two runs in the fifth inning and sealed it with one in the eighth and two runs in the ninth, both of which scored on bases-loaded walks.
The Shorebirds look to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon against the Suns in fourth game of the series. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports AM 960 and online at foxsports960.com. First pitch is set for 2:05 pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 16, 2016
- RiverDogs Top GreenJackets in 14 Innings - Charleston RiverDogs
- GreenJackets Lose Tight Game vs Charleston RiverDogs - Augusta GreenJackets
- Tuschak Homers in Saturday Night Loss - Columbia Fireflies
- Shorebirds Can't Hold Early Lead in Fourth Straight Loss - Delmarva Shorebirds
- RiverDogs Top GreenJackets in 15 Innings - Charleston RiverDogs
- 7-Run 6th Inning Propels 'Dads to 10-2 Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Drive Power Past Fireflies, 5-3 - Greenville Drive
- Tourists Can't Avoid Heartbreak After Valiant Comeback - Asheville Tourists
- Zangari Goes Deep as Intimidators Fall - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Power Win Fifth Straight - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Fireflies Game Notes: April 16 vs. Greenville (Game 10) - Columbia Fireflies
- West Virginia Tops Legends 7-2; Burt's On-Base String Ends at 68 - Lexington Legends
- White Sox Prospect Adolfo Joining Intimidators - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Delmarva Shorebirds Game Notes for April 16, 2016 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- West Virginia Comes Back for 6-5 Win over Legends in 10 - Lexington Legends
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.
