Hagerstown Leaves Delmarva with Series Split after 3-1 Win
RHP Matt Swynenberg (4-1), the winning pitcher of record, was stellar through 6.0 innings, allowing just one unearned run on six hits, walking one and striking out two.
Delmarva flocked home the first run of the game in the 2nd inning when DH Michael Ohlman knocked a groundball to SS Jason Martinson that caromed off his glove for an error, allowing Ohlman to reach first base. Shorebirds C Joe Oliveira was hit by a pitch from Swynenberg to put runners at first and second base. SS Garabez Rosa laid down a sacrifice bunt fielded by 1B Brett Newsome and slung on to 2B Blake Kelso covering the first base bag. Then, 1B Adam Gaylord lifted a bloop single to right center field that got down in front of RF Kevin Keyes giving the 'birds a 1-0 lead.
Shorebirds LHP Matt Bywater tossed 5.0 scoreless frames and left the mound in line for the win after giving up three hits, walking five, and fanning four.
Hagerstown tied the contest in the 6th stanza when 1B Brett Newsome lofted an opposite field solo home run off the eventual losing pitcher, RHP Tim Adleman (5-6) over the left center field wall, his fifth dinger of the 2011 season.
Adleman allowed three earned runs on five hits through 4.0 innings, surrendering one walk and striking out four.
In the 7th frame, the Suns manufactured a pair of runs to take a 3-1 lead they would not give up as Kelso wrapped a one-out double up the left field line before C David Freitas earned a two out base-on-balls, his fourth walk of the game. Keyes would then crush a line drive into the left field alleyway that chased home both Kelso and Freitas.
RHP Shane McCatty (1 SV) was bulletproof through the final three innings of the game, mowing down nine in a row to earn his first save of the season, while striking out one.
The Suns are now (9-6) against the Shorebirds, their cross-state Sally League rivals, in the 2011 campaign.
The Suns travel through the night to Hickory, NC to begin a four-game road series, the back leg of their current bus trip. Wall-to-wall radio broadcast coverage will begin with a 6:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on the Suns radio flagship station, WJEJ 1240 AM. The starting pitching matchup will feature RHP Nicholas Tepesch (6-3, 3.27) against LHP Matt Grace (10-5, 4.25).
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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