Six-Run Third Elevates ‘Birds Over Red Sox

SALISBURY, MD - The Delmarva Shorebirds bounced back one night after being swept in a doubleheader for a resounding 7-2 victory over the Salem Red Sox on Saturday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

The day prior, the Red Sox (33-26) had taken both ends of a doubleheader from the Shorebirds (37-20) by a combined score of 20-5. Tonight, it was the Shorebirds turn to return the favor.

In the bottom of the first, Lamar Sparks and Mason Janvrin kicked off the frame with back-to-back singles. After an errant pickoff throw allowed both runners to advance 90 feet, Hudson Haskin struck out on a pitch in the dirt that allowed Sparks to score from third with the first run of the game.

The third inning proved to be the breaking point in the contest. Delmarva began their half of the frame with Sparks reaching on an error before Janvrin was hit by a pitch. A walk to Haskin then loaded the bases. TT Bowens then rifled a single to center to plate a run and make it 2-0. Jean Carmona followed with an infield single that ricocheted off the pitcher’s leg to score another. After a pitching change, Cristopher Cespedes pounded a double off the rightfield wall to clear the bases and put Delmarva up 6-0 with Cespedes taking third on the throw home. After a popup, Cespedes scored on a groundout from Andrew Martinez to cap the inning with the Shorebirds ahead 7-0.

Delmarva coasted from there. Noah Denoyer started for the Shorebirds and was superb. At one point, the righty retired 15 batters in a. This streak was snapped in the sixth when Salem strung three, two-out singles together which combined with an error brought a run in for the Red Sox.

Salem grabbed another run back in the ninth on a Nick Northcut RBI single, but it was too little, too late, as Delmarva emerged victorious 7-2.

Denoyer (5-2) earned the win for the Shorebirds. Denoyer went a career long six innings, allowing just an unearned run on four hits, striking out six. The six frames for Denoyer marked the first time a Delmarva starter had gone six innings this season.

Bradley Blalock (0-4) suffered the loss for Salem. Blalock allowed six runs (four earned) in two-plus innings, walking two and striking out three.

Seven of nine Shorebirds recorded at least one hit, with Cespedes leading the charge, going 2-for-4 with a three-run double. Janvrin extended his on-base streak to 36 games by finishing 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.

Salem was limited to five hits, two coming from Joe Davis who went 2-for-3.

The Shorebirds and Red Sox wrap up their series on Sunday, July 11 at Perdue Stadium. Zach Peek (2-2, 4.30) is handed the ball for Delmarva against Jeremy Wu-Yelland (0-3, 3.97) for Salem. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning at 4:50 p.m. on MiLB.TV and Fox Sports 960 AM 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.