Shorebirds' Rally Falls Short

Murphy Blasts Fourth Homer Of The Week

By Brendan Gulick

May 29, 2016

SALISBURY, MD - Sometimes, baseball is a cruel game. Brian Gonzalez deserved better on Sunday afternoon, as the Shorebirds fell by a final score of 4-2 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

The 'Birds had two runners on base with nobody out in the ninth inning and trailed 4-1, but only managed to get one run across and left the tying run at first base.

Brian Gonzalez (5-2) took a tough-luck loss. He allowed four runs, of which three were earned, on eight hits over five innings. Only two of the eight hits that Gonzalez gave up were well struck balls on a day were bloopers and broken bat flares dropped in safely. On the other side of the docket, Jose Taveras (2-3) was outstanding. He gave up one run on one hit in seven innings with seven strikeouts.

That lone run came in the fifth inning, when Alex Murphy blasted his team-leading seventh home run of the year. Murphy took his fourth trip on the bases this week, but it was only a dent in the otherwise clean slate for Taveras.

Lakewood scored three of their four runs thanks to three wild pitches from Gonzalez. A sacrifice fly in the first inning scored Emmanuel Marrero, who went to third base on a wild offering. The BlueClaws got another run in the third innings when Deivi Grullon singled home Josh Tobias from second base. Tobias went from first to second on a wild pitch two pitches earlier. Lakewood's final run came home in the fifth, when Tobias scored from third on Gonzalez's third wild one of the day.

Delmarva's ninth inning rally fell short after Ademar Rifaela walked and Ryan Mountcastle singled to open the frame. DJ Stewart, Murphy and Gerrion Grim all struck out, while only Yermin Mercedes was able to drive home a run with his single to right field.

The Shorebirds open arguably their biggest series of the season at home tomorrow night against the Hickory Crawdads. First pitch on Memorial Day Monday is set for 5:05 pm. Brendan Gulick will have the broadcast beginning with Shorebirds On-Deck at 4:50 pm on Fox Sports AM 960 and online at theshorebirds.com.