Suns' Late Rally Falls Short in 5-4 Defeat to Shorebirds

Salisbury, MD - The Hagerstown Suns (6-6) scored four runs in the ninth inning but could not even the score against the Delmarva Shorebirds (6-6) and dropped the first game of the series, 5-4, at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, MD on Monday night.

The Suns scored all of their runs in the ninth inning; shortstop Jason Martinson blasted his third home run of the season, a three-run shot, and upped his RBI total to 13 for the season. Right fielder Justin Miller had the Suns' other RBI with a sacrifice fly. Suns starting pitcher Brian Dupra (0-3) went five innings and gave up four runs on six hits.

Shorebirds starter Miguel Chalas (2-0) earned the win, pitching five scoreless innings with one walk and four strike outs. Reliever Devin Jones delivered three shutout innings out of the bullpen before lefty Zack Fowler allowed four runs on three hits in the ninth.

Delmarva's John Ruettiger went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs to lead the Shorebirds' offense. Catcher Gabriel Lino went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

The Suns will play game two of the three-game series with Delmarva on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. when RHP Alex Meyer (1-1) faces the Shorebirds' RHP Dylan Bundy (0-0). Individual game tickets, season tickets, mini-plans, and group are now on sale. For more information and to reserve your seat at Municipal Stadium, call 301-791-6266, or www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Hagerstown Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.