‘Birds Early Offensive Outpouring Drowned Out by FredNats Comeback

SALISBURY, MD. – The Delmarva Shorebirds early offensive explosion wasn’t enough in a 10-8 loss on Sunday evening at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

The loss is the eighth straight for the Shorebirds (29-60, 8-16) against the Nationals who have now swept back-to-back series from the ‘Birds.

Fredericksburg started the scoring in the first for the third straight game. Jacob Young walked and after a sac bunt was driven in by a Viandel Pena single.

The ‘Birds answered back and then some in the bottom of the first. After Luis Valdez and Trendon Craig singled to put runners at the corners, Reed Trimble doubled home Valdez before a Mishael Deson plated Craig. A base hit from Frederick Bencosme then scored Trimble to make it 3-1.

Fredericksburg tied the game in the third on a two-run homer from JT Arruda, his second long ball of the season.

Delmarva surged ahead in the fourth. Bencosme dropped down a bunt base hit to start the inning and Isaac De Leon was then hit by a pitch. Stiven Acevedo then walked before Roberto Martinez kept the line moving with an RBI single. After a strikeout, Luis Valdez reached on a fielder’s choice at second to drive in a run, with a throwing error compounding matters and allowing two more runs to score and putting Valdez at third. Craig capped the five-run frame with another single to score Valdez and make it 8-3 Delmarva.

The FredNats hit the comeback trail in the eighth. With two outs and a runner at first, Young beat out an infield single, with a throwing error allowing a run to score with Young advancing to third. Young then scored when Arruda beat out an infield single.

The comeback came full circle for Fredericksburg in the ninth. Three straight singles opened the inning, the final one from Andry Arias plating a run and putting runners at the corners. Paul Witt was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Another run came in on a wild pitch when Allan Berrios struck out, making it an 8-7 game. Young was then walked to load the bases, before another wild pitch scored Arias and tied the game at 8-8. Arruda then hit a tapper back to the mound that Witt scored on third from, with Young going to third as Arruda was thrown out at first. A third wild pitch in the frame allowed Young to score, bringing the game to its final line of 10-8.

Bryan Pena (3-2) earned the win in relief for the Nationals, going two scoreless innings, allowing just a hit while striking out two.

Joel Benitez (3-2) suffered the loss for the Shorebirds. Benitez allowed three runs on one hit in an inning of work, walking one and striking out two.

Following an off-day Monday, the Shorebirds kick off a six-game road series with the Lynchburg Hillcats on Tuesday, July 26. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. from Bank of the James Stadium with pregame coverage beginning at 6:15 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.