FredNats Pitchers Deliver 2nd Shutout in a Row, Beat Shorebirds 9-0

Salisbury, M.D. - The Fredericksburg Nationals pitched their second straight shutout, beating the Delmarva Shorebirds 9-0. It’s the 11th shutout of the season, the most in FredNats history. Nationals pitchers haven’t allowed a run in 25 innings.

Right as the game started, the FredNats jumped in front. Shorebirds starter Esteban Mejia walked the first two batters, then exited mid at bat against the third man he saw due to an injury. Brandon Downer entered and allowed all three of those walks to score on a Juan Cruz two RBI single, and Kevin Made hitting into a 6-4 fielders choice.

On the mound, FredNats opening day starter RHP Leuris Portorreal made his return from a month-long stint on the development list. He looked very solid, finishing with a final line of 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Portorreal retired the final seven batters he saw after giving up a two-out single in the 1st inning. Noah Millikan was the bulk reliever, pitching a scoreless three innings, allowing just one hit with four strikeouts.

The FredNats offense continued to roll in the top of the 3rd. Rafael Ramirez Jr hit a one-out triple, his first three-bagger of the year, then scored on a Cruz sac fly, to give him three RBIs in the first three innings. In the 5th, Ramirez got another one out XBH with a double, then scored on an error to make it 5-0.

In the 7th, Ramirez hit a leadoff double for his third extra base hit of the night. Cruz single to plate Rafi and get his 4th RBI of the game. Cruz then scored on a Cashel Dugger sacrifice fly to make it 7-0. In the 8th, the FredNats added on two more as Made singled with the bases loaded to plate Dashyll Tejeda and bring Ramirez across home for the 5th time in the game. That made it 9-0.

With the win, the FredNats take their 18th of the year against the Shorebirds. It ties the 2024 season series with Delmarva for the most wins against a single opponent in FredNats history. Fredericksburg will look to break the record tomorrow as RHP Landon Harmon faces off against RHP Juan Nunez. First pitch from Virginia Credit Union Stadium is set for 7:05 PM.