Shorebirds Stomp Grasshoppers in Sweep

SALISBURY, MD - The Delmarva Shorebirds had their first big breakthrough of the second half by completing a doubleheader sweep against the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Wednesday night. The Shorebirds offense and pitching was on fire all night, as they captured Game 1 by a score of 8-1 before locking up Game 2 with a 6-0 victory behind Cristian Alvarado's complete game one-hitter.

Delmarva's (45-31, 3-4) offense got to work immediately in the bottom of the first of Game 1 when Natanael Delgado's single, coupled with an error by Isael Soto, brought home Cedric Mullins and Ryan Mountcastle to give the 'Birds a 2-0 advantage. 

Reid Love was able to keep Greensboro (42-35, 4-3) from having the big inning to get back into the game, as he limited the 'Hoppers to seven singles scattered through six innings while allowing just one earned run and striking out five.

The Shorebirds broke the game open in the bottom of the second thanks to Mountcastle's three-run double. Alex Murphy and Yermin Mercedes then joined the fun with back-to-back home runs in the fourth as a part of another three-run frame.

Mercedes was a catalyst all night on offense, as he went 4-for-7 across the two games with two home runs and three RBIs. Mountcastle ended the night with three hits, two of which were doubles, and four RBIs that all came in Game 1.

In Game 2, Alvarado dominated on the hill by striking out eight Greensboro batters while allowing just one hit and one walk in a season-high seven innings that also matches his career high. 

Again, Mercedes was the spark plug, as his homer in the first inning and bloop RBI single in the third gave Delmarva its first two runs of the game. Three more runs would score in the seventh thanks to a two-run single by Steve Laurino and a sac fly by Gerrion Grim.

The final tally of the night came on Ricardo Andujar's first home run with the Shorebirds, as his, line drive home run made it 6-0 in the fourth.

Delmarva will hit the road once again for a road trip, this time a brief four-game series in Hagerstown. Brian Gonzalez (5-4, 2.55) is scheduled to start for the Shorebirds. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with Brendan Gulick calling the action on Fox Sports 960.