Four-Run First Propels ‘Birds to 8-5 Win Over Hillcats

Deivy Cruz goes career-high six innings in first Quality Start

July 28, 2022

LYNCHBURG, VA. – Behind a well balanced attack and a scintillating start from Deivy Cruz, the Delmarva Shorebirds triumphed 8-5 over the Lynchburg Hillcats on Thursday night from Bank of the James Stadium. For the first time since the All-Star break, the Shorebirds (31-61, 10-17) managed to score first and

LYNCHBURG, VA. – Behind a well balanced attack and a scintillating start from Deivy Cruz, the Delmarva Shorebirds triumphed 8-5 over the Lynchburg Hillcats on Thursday night from Bank of the James Stadium.

For the first time since the All-Star break, the Shorebirds (31-61, 10-17) managed to score first and get the jump on the Hillcats (46-47, 11-16).

Luis Valdez and Trendon Craig each walked to begin the game. Valdez then swiped third on a throw back to the mound, with an ensuing throwing error allowing Valdez to score while Craig went to second. Reed Trimble then plated Craig with an RBI single before Isaac De Leon brought in Trimble with an RBI double, with De Leon going to third on an error. Roberto Martinez capped the four-run frame with a sacrifice fly to score De Leon.

In the fifth, Valdez singled with one out and then stole second base, his 50th stolen base of the season. Craig then singled him home to make it 5-0.

Delmarva stretched the lead to 7-0 in the sixth. De Leon and Romero each singled to start the frame and then executed a double steal with the resulting throwing error allowing De Leon to score while Romero went to third. Stiven Acevedo then singled home Romero.

Lynchburg finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth on a Victor Planchart two-run homer, his first of the season.

The Shorebirds scored an insurance run in the ninth, cashing in on two Hillcats errors.

Lynchburg made things interesting in the last of the ninth. With two away, Richard Paz hit a solo homer, his second of the year. Marlin Made then singled and was tripled home by Cesar Idrogo. Jake Fox followed with a walk before Yordys Valdes singled to score Idrogo and make it 8-5 with the tying run coming to the plate. Miguel Padilla struck out Junior Sanquintin to end the game however, and seal the 8-5 Delmarva win.

Deivy Cruz (1-0) worked a career high six innings in his first Quality Start and win for Delmarva, allowing just two unearned runs on five hits and two walks, striking out two.

Juan Zapata (2-6) lasted just one inning for Lynchburg, taking the loss. He allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits and two walks, striking out one.

Miguel Padilla collected his first save for the Shorebirds, going three innings while allowing three runs on five hits and a walk, striking out three.

Shorebirds continue their six-game road series with the Hillcats on Friday, July 29 at Bank of the James Stadium. Edgar Portes (0-4, 5.35) is slated to go for the Shorebirds while Lynchburg hands the ball to Brauny Munoz (2-1, 2.88). First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m 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.