Birds Break Eight Game Losing Streak

ABERDEEN, MD- Yankees' LF Taylor Dugas began the night after he was sent to first base after he was hit by RHP Jorge Rivera's first pitch of the night. After the botched pitch to Dugas, Rivera threw five consecutive strikeouts over two innings. IronBirds put single runs on the board in both the second and third innings. A Yankee homer in the top of the ninth was not enough give the Yankees the lead. IronBirds secured the win, 2-1.

LPH Jorge Rivera started on the mound for the Birds Thursday night while RHP Gabriel Encinas took the mound for the Yankees.

In the bottom of the second inning DH Sam Kimmel blasted a home run, his second of the year, to right field giving the IronBirds the lead, 1-0.

SS Joel Hutter grabed an RBI single and brought CF Anthony Vega to home plate in the bottom of the third, furthering the Birds lead, 2-0.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, DH Isaias Tejada homered off of P Tommy Winegardner putting the first run on the board for the Yankees. Next batter in line, 2B Jamiel Orozco, struck out and the IronBirds were able to end the inning and take the win, 2-1.

IronBirds Rivera (1-2, 3.55) claimed the win while Encinas (3-7, 5.27) was given the loss. Winegardner grabbed the save for the Birds, his ninth of the season. Rivera ended the night with a line of 5IP, 2H, 0R, 3BB, 8K (matching a career-high).

The IronBirds will begin their three-game series against the Hudson Valley Renegades on Friday, August 31 at Ripken Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. RHP Brady Wager (0-2, 6.53) will take the mound for the Birds against Renegades' RHP Jess Hahn (2-2, 2.87). Coverage on the IronBirds Radio Network will begin at 6:50 p.m.