Delmarva Snaps Losing Streak, 6-4

Shorebirds overcome six errors to win series opener

By Doug Newton

May 28, 2015

SALISBURY, Md. -- The Delmarva Shorebirds returned home and promptly ended their six-game losing streak with a 6-4 victory on Thursday night. Delmarva (23-24) overcame six defensive miscues to take the series opener from the West Virginia Power.

The game started quickly as a seesaw battle. West Virginia scored in the first on a sacrifice fly by Connor Joe. Delmarva jumped in front on Logan Uxa's two-run triple in the bottom of the first. Uxa has collected at least one RBI in three straight games for Delmarva. The Power reestablished their advantage with a two-run home run by Jerrick Suiter in the third.

Delmarva tied the game with a pair of doubles by Elier Leyva and Jay Gonzalez in the fourth. In the fifth, the Shorebirds took the lead for good with two runs. Conor Bierfeldt led off the frame with a double, and later scored on an RBI groundout by Jomar Reyes. Riley Palmer belted a solo home run, his third of the year, to put the Shorebirds up 5-3.

The teams traded runs in the sixth, as West Virginia scored off a pair of errors by Delmarva. The Shorebirds' defense committed six errors in total, allowing two unearned runs on starter John Means' line. Delmarva got the run right back on a RBI fielder's choice by Cam Kneeland.

Mike Burke and Donnie Hart locked down the win with a strong bullpen effort. Burke pitched two scoreless innings, and Hart struck out the side in the ninth. Means earned the win, while Hart recorded his tenth save, tied for the most in the South Atlantic League. Hart has now pitched 14 consecutive scoreless innings to start the season.

Jay Gonzalez reached base four times in the win, while Jomar Reyes, Guillermo Salas and Conor Bierfeldt contributed a multi-hit games as well. The victory snapped a six-game losing skid, the Shorebirds' longest of the season.

Delmarva continues the four-game series with the second-place West Virginia Power. Left-hander Brian Gonzalez (3-2, 4.43) starts game two against Power right-hander Yeudy Garcia (2-3, 1.70). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.