‘Birds Walked-Off in Extras by ‘Cats

ZEBULON, N.C. - The Delmarva Shorebirds saw a late lead slip away and eventually fell in 10 innings 8-4 to the Carolina Mudcats on Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium.

The Shorebirds (61-47) failed to score 10 runs for the first time in two games, stranding a season-high 16 runners on against the Mudcats (63-45).

Carolina started the scoring in third as after Tyler Black was hit by a pitch Alex Binelas doubled him home.

Delmarva tied the game in the top of the fourth. After loading the bases to start the inning, Reed Trimble drove home a run with a sacrifice fly.

An unearned run came across for the Mudcats in the bottom half of the frame. With two on and a two out, a ground ball to short resulted in a fielding error, allowing a run to score.

The Shorebirds answered again in the top of the fifth. One-out singles from John Rhodes and Donta’ Williams were followed one-out later with an RBI hit from Logan Michaels.

Darell Hernaiz walked and Collin Burns singled to start the sixth and after each swiped a base to move into scoring position, Rhodes singled them both home to put Delmarva ahead 4-2.

Carolina fought back to tie the game however, scoring a run in the seventh on a balk and then tying the game in the eighth on a fielder’s choice.

After Delmarva went down scoreless in the top of the tenth, Carolina loaded the bases with two away in the bottom of the inning. Darrien Miller then blasted a walk-off grand slam, his seventh of the year, to win the game 8-4 for the Mudcats.

James Meeker (1-0) earned the win for the Mudcats out of the bullpen. Meeker worked 2.1 no-hit innings, walking just a batter.

Thomas Girard (2-2) suffered the loss for Delmarva, yielding four unearned runs on one hit and two walks, striking out one.

After an off-day on Monday, the Shorebirds return home for their final regular season home series as they take on the Fredericksburg Nationals. Starters for the series opener have yet to be announced. First pitch on Tuesday is slated for 7:05 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning at 6:50 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.