Valdez’s Four Hit Game Not Enough in ‘Birds 3-1 Loss to Salem

SALEM, VA – Despite rapping out eight hits total, the Delmarva Shorebirds could not find the big base hit, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position in a 3-1 loss to the Salem Red Sox on Friday night at Carilion Clinic Field.

The Shorebirds (20-40) bounced into three double plays coaxed by Red Sox (31-30) helping to stem the tide of burgeoning Delmarva rallies.

Delmarva got to work early right at the start of the game. Luis Valdez dropped down a bunt base hit to begin the contest and Frederick Bencosme followed with a line drive single. Noelberth Romero then bounced into a fielder’s choice that put runners on the corners. Romero and Valdez then pulled off a double steal, with Valdez swiping home to plate the first run of the game.

Salem countered immediately in the bottom of the first as Niko Kavadas swatted a two-run homer, his 10th of the season, to vault the Red Sox ahead 2-1.

Kavadas picked up his third RBI of the game in the fifth with a sacrifice fly, scoring Brainer Bonaci, to make it 3-1.

The Shorebirds brought the tying run to the plate in each of the final four innings, but were turned away empty handed each time.

Luis Valdez had half of the Shorebirds’ eight hits, going 4-for-4 with his league-leading 31st stolen base.

Gabriel Jackson (3-6) collected the win out of the bullpen for Salem, firing five innings of one-run baseball, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out just one.

Shane Davis (1-6) took the loss for Delmarva, allowing two runs on two hits and five walks, striking out six

The Shorebirds continue their series with the Red Sox on Saturday, June 18. Edgar Protes (0-0, 9.00) is slated to go for the Shorebirds while Salem counters with Reidis Sena (0-0, 1.93). First pitch from Carilion Clinic Field is slated for 6:05 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning at 5:50 p.m. on theshorebirds.com with Sam Jellinek on the call.

ABOUT THE DELMARVA SHOREBIRDS

The Delmarva Shorebirds were founded in 1996 and have been the Class-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles since 1997. The Shorebirds have won two South Atlantic League championships in 1997 and 2000 and were named the MiLB.com Minor League Team of the Year in 2019 after going 90-48 in the regular season. Based in Salisbury, Maryland, the Shorebirds are proud to represent the entire Delmarva Peninsula and have hosted two SAL All-Star Games in 1999 and 2011. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, LP, based in Stockton, California headed by Chairman Tom Volpe and President Pat Filippone.