Billy Cook Powers ‘Birds to Extra-Inning Win Over Red Sox

SALEM, VA - After having the go-ahead run thrown out at the plate earlier in the tenth inning, Billy Cook saved the day for the Delmarva Shorebirds with a three-run homer to secure a 6-2 win over the Salem Red Sox in 10 innings at Salem Memorial Ballpark.

The Shorebirds (66-51) and Red Sox (70-47) traded runs in the second with Salem coming away ahead.

Delmarva loaded the bases in their half of the second, with Mishael Deson providing a sacrifice fly to get them on the board.

Salem answered back as with two on and one out, Brainer Bonaci ripped a two-run double into left-center to vault the Red Sox in front 2-1.

Both pitching staffs settled in and threw zeroes up on the board until the seventh when Delmarva managed to tie the game. John Rhodes singled to start the frame and later swiped second. With two away, Collin Burns lined a single to right to score Rhodes and tie the game at 2-2.

Neither squad could find a run in the eighth or ninth, necessitating the extra frame. The Shorebirds moved the automatic runner, Reed Trimble, to third with a groundout, but Trimble was thrown out at home on the next play on a grounder to first. With two away and now Colton Cowser at first following the fielder’s choice, Coby Mayo singled, setting up Cook’s big blast, his fifth of the campaign. Rhodes then singled and stole second again before Connor Pavolony singled him home to cap the scoring at 6-2.

Alex Pham (1-0) secured the win in relief for Delmarva with two shutout frames, allowing just a hit while striking out two.

Devon Roedahl (7-4) suffered the loss for Salem. He coughed up four runs, on four hits and a walk, striking out two.

The Shorebirds will try to make it three in a row against Salem on Friday, September 17. Carlos Tavera (0-0, 2.08) goes for Delmarva against Wilkelman Gonzalez (0.66) for Salem. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning at 6:50 on 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.