Kjerstad Smacks His Second Homer To Extend Hitting Streak to 13; Seventh Inning Spoils the ‘Birds in 9-2 Loss to FredNats
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – A close game between the Delmarva Shorebirds and Fredericksburg Nationals got blown out of proportion by a seven-run seventh innings as the Shorebirds fell 9-2 to the Nationals on Friday night at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. The loss hands the Shorebirds (22-50, 1-6) an early series loss
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – A close game between the Delmarva Shorebirds and Fredericksburg Nationals got blown out of proportion by a seven-run seventh innings as the Shorebirds fell 9-2 to the Nationals on Friday night at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.
The loss hands the Shorebirds (22-50, 1-6) an early series loss while the Nationals (39-34, 6-1) collected their fifth win in a row.
The Nationals started the scoring in the second. With men at first and third and two away, Yoander Rivero swiped second, coaxing a throwing error on the steal attempt, allowing JT Arruda to score from third with the first run of the game.
The Shorebirds tied it up with one swing to begin the fourth. Heston Kjerstad blasted a solo shot to begin the frame, his second of the season, tying the game at 1-1.
The FredNats immediately retook the lead in the bottom of the frame on a Yoander Rivero two-out RBI single.
The game stayed at 2-1 Fredericksburg until a seventh inning rally blew the game open for the Nationals. The FredNats loaded the bases with one out, where Leandro Emiliani started the scoring in the inning with a two-run double. Steven Williams followed with an RBI double before Geraldi Diaz plated two more with a single. After another base hit, Andry Arias scored Diaz with a sacrifice fly and TJ White capped the inning with an RBI single.
The Shorebirds got a consolation run in the ninth on an error on a groundball after loading the bases, merely changing the final score line to 9-2.
Marc Davis (1-1) earned the win in relief for the Nationals. Davis authored four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three.
Edgar Portes (0-3) took a third consecutive tough luck loss for the Shorebirds, going a career high six innings while recording his first career Quality Start, allowing just two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk, striking out four.
Kjerstad added a single to go along with his homer, extending his hitting streak out to 13 games in a row.
The Shorebirds continue their six-game set against the Nationals on Saturday, July 2 at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. Darlin Alcantara (0-0, 4.50) is due up on the mound for the Shorebirds while the FredNats turn to Andry Lara (1-4, 6.04). First pitch is slated for 6:05 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning at 5:50 p.m. on theshorebirds.com with Sam Jellinek on the call.
ABOUT THE DELMARVA SHOREBIRDS
The Delmarva Shorebirds were founded in 1996 and have been the Class-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles since 1997. The Shorebirds have won two South Atlantic League championships in 1997 and 2000 and were named the MiLB.com Minor League Team of the Year in 2019 after going 90-48 in the regular season. Based in Salisbury, Maryland, the Shorebirds are proud to represent the entire Delmarva Peninsula and have hosted two SAL All-Star Games in 1999 and 2011. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, LP, based in Stockton, California headed by Chairman Tom Volpe and President Pat Filippone.