‘Birds Bats Fall Quiet in Saturday Loss to Hillcats

LYNCHBURG, VA - The Delmarva Shorebirds saw their eight-game winning streak come to a close on Saturday night as they fell to the Lynchburg Hillcats by a 3-2 margin.

The Shorebirds (34-17) had taken the first four games of the series from the Hillcats (26-25) before stumbling in the fifth game.

Lynchburg got the bats going early. Angel Martinez doubled with one down in the first inning and Yainer Diaz then singled to drive him in and give Lynchburg a 1-0 lead.

In the second, Korey Holland reached on an error to start the frame before Christian Cairo singled to advance Holland to third. One out later, Petey Halpin singled to score Holland and increase the Lynchburg lead to 2-0.

That is where the score would stay for three innings as both teams blanked the opposition until the sixth.

As Lynchburg’s Lenny Torres left his hitless start at the start of the sixth, the Shorebirds bats came alive. Ramon Rodriguez singled to break up the no-hit bid, Mason Janvrin then walked, and TT Bowens was hit by a pitch to load the sacks for Delmarva. Cristopher Cespedes knocked in the first run of the game on a fielder’s choice and Hudson Haskin followed up with a single to knock in Janvrin and tie the game at 2-2.

Lynchburg swung back in the bottom of the sixth. Cairo reached after being hit by a pitch, then proceeded to steal second and third base. Yordys Valdes singled to center, scoring Cairo and giving Lynchburg the lead for the final time, 3-2.

Lamar Sparks began the eighth with a triple, but Cade Smith sat down the next three Shorebirds bats in order to get out of the jam.

Smith returned for a three up, three down ninth to lock in the result.

Daritzon Feliz (2-2) earned the win for Lynchburg out of the bullpen. He allowed two runs over two innings on two hits and a walk to pave the way for Smith.

Adam Stauffer (3-1) was handed the loss, conceding one run on three hits in three innings of work while striking out five.

Cade Smith earned his first save of the season for the Hillcats, tossing two innings of one-hit baseball to close the game, striking out four.

Noah Denoyer started for the ‘Birds but did not factor into the decision. He allowed one earned run on five hits over four innings, walking three and striking out six.

Despite tossing a gem, Lynchburg’s Torres did not factor into the decision. He finished with five no-hit innings, allowing one baserunner on a walk while striking out five Shorebirds.

The Shorebirds look to bounce back in the series finale with the Hillcats on Sunday, July 4 at the Bank of the James Stadium. Delmarva will look to Zach Peek (2-2, 2.97), while the Hillcats starter will be RHP Josh Wolf (0-2, 6.66). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Lynchburg.

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.