Delmarva Splits Double-Header in Bittersweet Fashion

Delmarva Eliminated from First Half Playoff Race

By Brendan Gulick

June 18, 2016

HICKORY, NC - The clock struck midnight on Delmarva on Saturday in Hickory. The 'Birds continued a fantastic stretch of baseball, but split a twin-bill with the Hickory Crawdads at L.P Frans Stadium. The Crawdads took game one 1-0, and while Delmarva responded with a 4-2 victory in the second affair, their afternoon loss eliminated the Shorebirds from a Northern Division title before tomorrow's first half finale.

Francisco Jimenez (5-7) deserved better than to take a hard luck loss. He threw a six-inning complete game and allowed just one run on three hits. The Shorebirds nearly scratched across a run in the top of the fifth inning, but Steve Laurino was stranded at third base on a terrific diving stop by Frandy De La Rosa to get Drew Turbin as the last out of the inning. That was Delmarva's best scoring chance of the first contest, as they struggled to get anything rolling against Matt Ball (1-1).

Despite their elimination with the loss, the Shorebirds got off to a quick start in the night-cap. Natanael Delgado ripped his fourth homer of the season over the right field fence for a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Cedric Mullins added a sacrifice fly in the second to account for the remainder of Delmarva's offense.

Mike Costello gave the Shorebirds a strong effort over 4.1 innings. He gave way to Elias Pinales (4-0) who worked the final 2.2. Pinales held the Crawdads off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

The Shorebirds close the first half of the season tomorrow afternoon having already won the series with Hickory. The series finale is set for 5:00 pm. Brendan Gulick will have the broadcast beginning with Shorebirds On-Deck at 4:45 pm on Fox Sports AM 960 and online at theshorebirds.com.

Delmarva Shorebirds
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The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class "A" Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, LLC, the same company that owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League.

The Shorebirds celebrated their 20th season in 2015, and have entertained nearly five million fans since beginning play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md. in 1996. The team has captured South Atlantic League titles in 1997 and 2000 while successfully hosting the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 1999 and 2011.

For more information on the Shorebirds, call 410-219-3112 or visit theshorebirds.com.

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