Grimes' Quality Start Upended by Kannapolis

SALISBURY, Md. -- The Delmarva Shorebirds lost on Friday night by a final score of 4-1 to the Kannapolis Intimidators. Delmarva (28-31) got off to a quick start, but Kannapolis scored four unanswered runs for a win in the series opener.

Jay Gonzalez sliced a triple to the left field corner, leading off the first inning. Steve Wilkerson lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Gonzalez for a 1-0 lead. It was the sixth time in eight games that Delmarva scored in the first frame. Gonzalez finished the night, 2-for-3 with two triples, the first time a Shorebird collecetd two triples in a single game this season.

Kannapolis slowly took the upper hand in the low-scoring affair. In the fourth, Nick Basto reached with two outs on a dropped third strike. Basto scored the tying run after back-to-back singles by Brett Austin and Mason Robbins. The Intimidators jumped in front in the seventh after Robbins' leadoff triple. The go-ahead run scored on a wild pitch by Garrett Cortright.

The Intimidators scored two crucial insurances in the top of the ninth for a 4-1 lead. In their final at-bat, the Shorebirds loaded the bases with a walk and two singles. However, T.J. Olesczuk grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Thad Lowry outdueled Matthew Grimes for the win, his seventh of the season. Grimes took a tough-luck loss for Delmarva, allowing just two runs in a career-high 6.1 innings pitched. David Trexler wrapped up his fifth save with three scoreless innings in relief for Kannapolis.

The Shorebirds will try to even the series on Saturday night. Right-hander Josh Walker (1-0, 1.00) takes the bump for Delmarva against Kannapolis right-hander Yency Almonte (4-3, 4.79). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.