Suns slip past Shorebirds 3-1

HAGERSTOWN, M.D. - The Hagerstown Suns (19-12) returned to Municipal stadium on Thursday night as one of the hottest teams in the South Atlantic League, and they were able to remain that way by handing the Delmarva Shorebirds (15-17) a 3-1 loss. The win was the eighth in nine games for the Suns, and the third straight at home.

 

Delmarva took the early lead 1-0 in the top of the first. The first batter of the game, CF Gregory Lorenzo, was hit by a pitch. He proceeded to steal second, and went to third when 2B Tucker Nathans singled on a line drive to left. Lorenzo scored when 3B Joel Hutter hit a sacrifice fly to center field.

 

The Suns evened the score in the fifth. Three straight singles to begin the inning loaded the bases with no outs. That allowed 2B Tony Renda to drive in a run by grounding into a force out at second. One inning later the Suns took the lead when the first three hitters in the frame again all reached base to load the bases with no outs. This time it was catcher Pedro Severino who produced the run by hitting a sacrifice fly to center field, making it 2-1 Hagerstown.

 

The Suns picked up an insurance run in the eighth when CF Wes Schill began the inning by hitting a single to right. Schill advanced to second on a throwing error by Delmarva RF Lucas Herbst. Designated hitter Khayyan Norfork got Schill to third with a sacrifice bunt, and Schill scored from third on a single to center field by Severino.

 

Starting RHP Dixon Anderson (3-1) earned the win for Hagerstown. He pitched six innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits while striking out five. Starting LHP Matt Taylor (1-3) took the loss for the Shorebirds. He went 5.1 innings, surrendering two earned runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out three. RHP Robert Benincasa earned his seventh save of the season by getting the final two outs in the ninth.

 

The Suns and Shorebirds continue their four game series on Friday May 10. Hagerstown will send LHP Kylin Turnbull (2-0) to the mound for his third start of the season. He will square off against RHP Branden Kline (1-2) for the Shorebirds. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.