'Birds Lose 11-4 In Series Opener

(ABERDEEN, MD) - The 'Birds looked to take the field Sunday by starting a fresh series and recovering from their 4-game series versus Mahoning Valley full of delays, however the Yankees would not allow it.

Neil Medchill worked the count in his first at bat and drew a walk, a hit and an error later, Medchill came in to score Staten Island's first run of the ballgame.

Kyle Higashioka gave the Yankees a boost by hitting a 3-run homerun, scoring Zoilo Almonte and Medchill to put the Yankees up 4-0 in the third inning.

In the fourth inning, Francisco Santana launched a double to put Staten Island in position to extend their lead. Almonte hit a double of his own to score Santana and put the Yanks' up 5-0.

Staten Island exploded for four more runs and jumped to a commanding 9-0 lead in the fifth inning. Medchill walked to lead off the inning; he reached third a passed ball and a stolen base. Higashioka took the plate and knocked a RBI single to right field that scored Medchill. Deangelo Mack stepped up and hit a single of his own. Luke Murton launched a 3-run homerun to score Higashioka and Mack and leave the Yanks' up 9-0.

The 'Birds answered with a run of their own in the sixth inning with Tom Edwards hitting a RBI double scoring Steve Bumbry but getting thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple.

Garabez Rosa led off the seventh with a triple. Jason Rook grounded out to first allowing Rosa to score.

In the eighth inning, Rosa struck again hitting a RBI single to score Ty Kelly and draw the 'Birds closer at 9-3.

The Yankees scored a pair of runs in the ninth increasing their lead.

Steve Bumbry hit a double to give the 'Birds hope in the ninth. Bumbry scored on a RBI single by Tom Edwards. The 'Birds were unable to rally back and fell 11-4,

Pat Kantakevich (2-2) had a decent outing last time he faced Staten Island. Kantakevich went 4.2 innings, giving up two runs, two hits with two strikeouts and two walks receiving no decision in the contest.

Tonight, Kantakevich struggled giving up five runs and six hits with two strikeouts and one walk over 4.0 innings and received the loss.

Justin Dalles extended his hitting streak to three consecutive games.

The 'Birds will play the final game of the 2-game series versus Staten Island tomorrow before hitting the road for State College. The game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tyler Sexton (2-4) will take the mound for Aberdeen.