Ten Year Flood: Hoppers suffer tough loss

GREENSBORO, N.C. (June 27, 2018) -- The Shorebirds ran away from the Grasshoppers in a 20-2 blowout on Wednesday night at First National Bank Field, almost 10 years to the day since the last time Greensboro allowed 20 runs in a game. Delmarva scored in six different innings, including an 8-run seventh, while out-hitting Greensboro 22-6.
The Shorebirds set the tone early when Kirvin Moesquit led off the game with a home run (4) to left field as part of a 3-run first inning. 
The Grasshoppers (38-37, 4-2 Second Half) appeared to be up for the fight in the second inning before a twice-reversed call went against Greensboro. Will Allen led off the bottom of the second by a drive to right field that stopped underneath the pad of the outfield wall. Delmarva right-fielder Will Robertson refused to play the ball, throwing his hands up calling for time from base umpire Harley Acosta, who appeared to grant time while Allen rounded the bases. When Acosta removed the ball without ostensible effort from the base of the wall, Allen was awarded a home run. Shorebirds manager Buck Britton protested the call, and after umpires confered, the call was reversed again, with Allen have to return to second base with a ground rule double.  
Despite Allen eventually scoring on a Marcos Rivera sacrifice fly, the Hoppers offense failed to recover as the Shorebirds piled on in the ensuring innings.
The Grasshoppers last allowed 20 runs in a game on June 28, 2008 -- 10 years ago tomorrow -- in a 20-6 loss at home against the Kannapolis Intimidators. 
Delmarva scored three in the third, four in the fourth, and one in the fifth before matching that entire total with an 8-run seventh inning. Robertson paced the Shorebirds offense with a 5-hit game, finishing 5-for-6 with two doubles, two RBI, and two runs scored. He is the first batter with a 5-hit game against Greensboro since August 24, 2017, when Kannapolis' Jake Burger hit for the cycle in a 5-for-5 night.
While the Shorebirds tallied 22 hits including 11 for extra bases, only eight of the nine Delmarva batters hit safely with No. 9 hitter Max Hogan drawing a walk for his only safe appearance on the base paths. Moesquit finished 4-for-7 with five runs scored. All-Star Trevor Craport homered twice while leading Delmarva with five RBI on the night. 
Delmarva's Cameron Bishop (7-4) earned the win with 6.0 innings of work, allowing a run on three hits while walking two and striking out three. Scott Sebald (0-1) took the loss in his Class A debut, allowing six runs on seven hits over 3.0 innings.  
The Grasshoppers continue this 3-game series on a Thirsty Thursday presented by Natty Greene's and 107.5 KZL. Greensboro and Delmarva play Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at First National Bank Field with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at gsohoppers.com.