Delmarva Downs Hagerstown 6-4 with Late Comeback
Shorebirds RHP Jake Cowan, who was let off the hook and did not receive a decision, allowed four runs, three earned, on four hits through 5.2 innings, while walking three and striking out ten.
The Suns struck first with one run in the 1st frame when RF Michael Taylor struck out swinging and reached first base when C Joe Oliveira hit Taylor in the baseline with the ball. Taylor stole second base and was drive home on an RBI single through the hole at shortstop swept by 2B Adrian Sanchez.
Suns RHP Matt Swynenberg, who also did not receive a decision, tossed 6.0 stanzas and surrendered two earned runs on six hits and one walk, while fanning a trio.
Delmarva flew on the board with one run to tie the game in the 4th inning as C Michael Ohlman, as part of a 3-for-4, two RBI night at the plate, punched an RBI single through the right side of the infield to score SS Michael Rooney, who singled to center field to get aboard.
Hagerstown tagged Cowan for three runs in the 6th inning with two outs. Taylor led off with a single lined to the right field gap. 3B Blake Kelso and Sanchez both struck out swinging. Then, C David Freitas and DH Kevin Keyes both drew walks to load the bases. The next batter, SS Jason Martinson cranked a three-RBI, bases-clearing triple over the head of RF Jeremy Nowak. RHP Luis Noel (7-10), the eventual winning pitcher, retired 1B Brett Newsome on a flyout to center field.
Noel threw 2.1 scoreless innings and walked no one, while striking out four.
The Shorebirds tallied one run in the 6th stanza when 1B Jacob Julius lashed an RBI double up the right field line to score 3B Ty Kelly, who walked to get on base. Ohlman, who singled to center field, was cut down at home plate on a bullet from Taylor to Sanchez to Freitas, 9-4-2.
Down 4-2 in the bottom of the 8th inning, Delmarva scrapped to produce a four-run rally off RHP Greg Holt (0-1), the losing pitcher. 2B Michael Mooney smacked a single back up the middle, Rooney ripped a knuckling grounder through the six hole, and Kelly knocked into a fielder's choice, before Nowak blasted an opposite field RBI double over the head of LF Wade Moore to score Mooney. RHP Sam Brown then gave up a two-run single off the stick of Ohlman passed Sanchez into center field. An additional run came to fruition after Julius laced a single to center field preceding an RBI sacrifice fly by Oliveira into right center field brining home Ohlman to put the Shorebirds up 6-4.
Delmarva RHP David Walters (27 SV) earned his league leading 27th save with a one-two-three 9th inning. Keyes grounded out to shortstop, Martinson lined out to center field, and Newsome roped a line drive that Mooney dove to his right and caught.
Game Two in Salisbury, Maryland will feature a 7:05pm first pitch. Wall-to-wall radio broadcast coverage will begin with a 6:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on WJEJ AM 1240. The pitching will feature Suns LHP Paul Applebee (5-2, 3.77) battling against Shorebirds LHP Matt Bywater (0-1, 3.00).
The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Season ticket packages, group outings, and corporate sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.
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