Gonzalez Quality Start Spoiled by Pujols, Marrero Homers

Delmarva Strands Tying Runs on Base in Ninth

By Brendan Gulick

August 20, 2016

SALISBURY, MD - Delmarva had the tying runs on base in the bottom of the ninth and hit two missiles to third base, but could not come from behind in the second game of the series against Lakewood. The BlueClaws prevailed 4-2 on Saturday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, taking each of the first two games in the series.

Brian Gonzalez (8-8) took a tough luck loss after allowing a pair of solo homers over six otherwise strong innings. Jose Pujols hit his league-leading 23rd homer in the top of the first to give Lakewood an early lead. His blast to right-center field also broke the BlueClaws franchise record for most home runs in single season.

Delmarva (63-60, 21-33) scored the tying run without the benefit of a base hit in the bottom of the second, but Emmanuel Marrero homered for the second consecutive night to give Lakewood (61-63, 32-23) a lead it wouldn't relinquish. The BlueClaws lead 2-1 after three frames.

Meanwhile, Seranthony Dominguez (3-2) turned in another stellar outing for the Lakewood pitching staff. He struck out nine and allowed only one unearned run on two hits over his six innings Saturday night.

In the top of the seventh, Randolph Gassaway misplayed a ball off the fence in left field, which allowed Jan Hernandez's double to become a three-base mistake. Grenny Cumana brought home Hernandez with a sacrifice fly to right field to make it 3-1 Lakewood at the stretch. But the Shorebirds weren't done quite yet. Drew Turbin opened the bottom of the eighth with a single and he went to second on a balk. With two outs, Ryan Mountcastle doubled home Turbin to bring Delmarva within a run. Mountcastle was stranded at second to finish the inning.

Lakewood added a run in the ninth on Mark Laird's third hit of the game. Delmarva trailed 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth and made things very interesting before Lakewood sneaked away with the victory. Natanael Delgado hit a bloop double to center field and Ademar Rifaela walked to put the tying run at first. Steve Laurino hit a line drive to third base that was too hot for Jan Hernandez to handle. He dropped the ball, but tagged third to force out Delgado for the second out of the inning. Then with two on and two out, Drew Turbin hit an even harder line smash at Hernandez. This time, the third baseman caught the ball to end the game.

Notably, Cedric Mullins finished the game 0-for-4, snapping his 19-game hitting streak. Mullins streak is the longest by any player in the South Atlantic League this season. Ryan Mountcastle finished the game 2-for-4 with an RBI double.

Delmarva continues the series on Sunday evening against Lakewood. First pitch is set for 5:05 pm at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. 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.

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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