SAL1 Delmarva Shorebirds

Shorebirds Game Notes

Published on May 19, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Delmarva Shorebirds News Release


PROJECTED ROTATION for Upcoming Games Monday 5/19 LHP Cole McCurry (0-4, 6.95) vs. Greensboro RHP Stuart Alexander (4-2, 4.22) Tuesday 5/20 LHP Chris Salberg (0-1, 3.60) vs. Kannapolis RHP Johnnie Lowe (2-3, 3.12) Wednesday (1) 5/20 LHP Zach Britton (3-3, 3.25) vs. Kannapolis RHP Nathan Jones (1-4, 8.13) Wednesday (2) 5/20 TBA vs. Kannapolis TBA Thursday 5/21 RHP Sean Gleason (2-0, 1.36) vs. Kannapolis LHP Kevin Skogley (0-0, 3.86) Friday 5/22 RHP Luis Noel (3-1, 3.12) vs. Kannapolis RHP Juan Moreno (0-1, 9.00)

Monday Morning Mayhem... Southpaw Cole McCurry gets the start for Delmarva in the series finale with Greensboro, a 10:35am breakfast baseball game at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. The Shorebirds hope to take three out of four over the Grasshoppers and move into second-place in the Northern Division with a win. McCurry aims to rebound from his roughest start of the season a week ago in Kannapolis, when he lasted just two and one-third innings and allowed nine runs (eight earned), including a pair of three-run homers. After wrapping up the series with the Grasshoppers, Delmarva will seek revenge against the Intimidators, whom they welcome to Salisbury for a five-game, four-day series from Tuesday-Friday. As soon as the homestand wraps up, the ‘Birds will reunite with the ‘Hoppers in Greensboro for a Memorial day weekend four-game series.

‘Birds, ‘Hoppers Split Sunday Twin-Bill... Delmarva and Greensboro split a doubleheader on Sunday at Arthur W. Perdue, with the Shorebirds winning the opener 10-2 and the Grasshoppers taking the back end 4-0. In game one, Delmarva starter Luis Noel was in control through the first five innings. The Dominican right-hander struck out six Grasshoppers and earned his third win of the season as he allowed two runs in five and two-thirds innings. Delmarva jumped out to a 3-0 lead through the first four innings, and although Greensboro rallied to within a run, the Shorebirds seven run sixth gave plenty of cushion for the first victory of the day. In the big sixth inning, Joe Nowicki pelted a three run homer, his third of the season. Two batters later, Anthony Martinez drilled his fourth dinger of the year, a two run shot. In game two, the Shorebirds were shut out for the fourth time this year by the Greensboro duo of Matt Mallory and AJ Battisto. A scoreless game through two innings, Grasshopper center-fielder Justin Jacobs knocked his first home run of the year leading off the third to put Greensboro on top 1-0. Adam Howard's RBI single in the fourth with two down added another run to the lead, and Emilio Oniveros blasted his first homer of the season in the fifth, a two-run shot that gave Greensboro a 4-0 edge. Mallory tossed three and a third innings, allowing no runs on three hits. In relief, Battisto hurled three and two-thirds perfect innings to earn his third victory of the season.

Saturday Recap: Home Sweet Home: ‘Birds Back On Track... After stumbling through a 2-4 road trip, the Delmarva Shorebirds ensured that their return home was sweet. Sean Gleason's six dominant innings helped Delmarva knock off Greensboro 3-1 in front of a season-high crowd on Saturday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. The Shorebirds snapped their four game losing streak in their return to Salisbury, while the Grasshoppers' five-game winning streak came to a close at the same time. A hitless pitcher's duel through the first two and a half innings, Delmarva finally broke through in the bottom of the third. Back-to-back-to-back singles to lead off the frame loaded the bases with nobody out. Greensboro starter Brett Durand refocused and retired the next two Shorebird hitters, but Delmarva finally found success with two outs. With a full count and all the runners moving, Joe Mahoney flared a single into shallow center field to capitalize on the situation and give Delmarva a 2-0 lead. Sean Gleason benefited from another run in the fourth as the Shorebirds shortstop Jason White drove in second baseman Ryan Adams with another two out single. In the grand scheme, though, Gleason and the rest of ‘Birds bullpen would own the day. Gleason tossed six shutout innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out four. He lowered his ERA from 1.67 to 1.36 while earning his second victory of the season. In the seventh, the Shorebirds handed the game over to Brian Parker, who, pitching for the first time in eight days, allowed one run in two innings. Delmarva closer Mick Mattaliano earned his ninth save of the season with a perfect ninth, and the Shorebirds began the nine-game homestand on a winning note.

Intimidated! Delmarva Swept By Kannapolis... For the first time this season, the Shorebirds were unable to win a game during a series. When Thursday night's finale was postponed, the three-game sweep became official. In the three games, Delmarva was outscored 27-6 and were out-hit 31-17. In addition, at no point during the three games did Delmarva hold a lead. The Shorebirds made 10 errors over the course of the three games as their defensive woes continued. Statistically, the Shorebirds hit just .183 as a team during the series and had a team ERA of 8.25, while Kannapolis batted .298 and recorded a 1.33 ERA.

Defensive Disaster... With three more errors in game two on Saturday, the Shorebirds have now made 76 errors on the season, most in the South Atlantic League. Second baseman Ryan Adams leads the team with 24 defensive miscues.

Clutch Shorebirds... Delmarva has been money in close games so far this year, winners of 13 of 19 contests that have been decided by two runs or less. Their incredible prowess in these narrowly decided matchups has allowed the Shorebirds to achieve an incredible statistical feat. Although they have been outscored by their opponents over the course of the season (188-169) by 19 runs, Delmarva resides at three games above .500.

First-Inning Success... One of the reasons that the Shorebirds pitching staff has been very steady all season long has been its ability to begin games on the right foot. So far, the opposing team has only scored a run in the first inning five times. Delmarva starters have a 1.31 ERA in the first inning of games.

2007 in Review...Delmarva went 68-68 on the year, 34-33 in the first half and 34-35 in the second half... The Shorebirds were 6th in the 16-team South Atlantic League with a 3.91 ERA... They pitching to a 3.65 ERA (1015.2 IP, 412ER) following a 5.16 mark (205.2 IP, 118ER) in April... Delmarva was 2nd in the SAL with 1,074 strikeouts and allowed the 3rd fewest hits (1,126) and home runs (73) in the league... The Shorebirds were 9th in stolen bases (145), 10th in runs scored (662), 12th in average (.259), hits (1,210) and home runs (88), and 13th in walks (433)... Delmarva won a season-high 9 straight games, May 31-June 9, and had a season-high 7-game losing streak, April 25-May 1. Four Shorebirds played in the 2007 SAL All-Star Game, including pitchers Taylor Bergesen and Jeff Moore, right fielder Brandon Tripp, and first basemen Chris Vinyard. Tripp finished the season with a .288 average, 19 homers, and 79 RBI; consequently, he earned the Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the year award as the Orioles' best position prospect.

Check out the Delmarva Shorebirds Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 19, 2008


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