Asheville Slugs Past Delmarva in Series Opener

ASHEVILLE, NC - Delmarva came to Asheville off a series victory in Lexington, but couldn't keep up with the offensively surging Tourists in a 16-7 loss on Saturday night at McCormick Field. The Tourists belted seven doubles and two home runs on the evening.

Francisco Jimenez struggled for the second consecutive outing, failing to make it out of the third inning. He allowed 10 runs on eight hits and was knocked out of the game on Brendan Rodgers' grand slam. Rodgers leads the league with seven homers and 27 RBI.

Trailing 10-0 going into the fourth, the Shorebirds (16-12) started to get things rolling. Cedric Mullins belted his first home run of the season to left-center field, followed shortly thereafter by a Yermin Mercedes two-run shot.

Ryan Mountcastle finished the game 4-for-4 to lead the Delmarva offense, setting a new personal career-high for hits in a game. Mullins and Mercedes each had two hits in the contest.

Asheville (12-15) didn't let up after the first three innings. They scored in seven of their eight offensive innings, and scored multiple runs in five of those innings. In addition, the Tourists collected at least two hits in every inning, totaling 22 hits on the night. Five Tourists finished the affair with at least three hits, led by Terry McClure's four hit night.

The 16 runs allowed by the Shorebirds are the most given up in a game since May 21, 2011 against Kannapolis in a 16-6 loss.

The Shorebirds continue the series tomorrow afternoon with a 2:05 pm first pitch. Brian Gonzalez takes the hill for the 'Birds in the second game of the four game series. He seeks his fourth consecutive win.

Delmarva Shorebirds
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The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class "A" Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, LLC, the same company that owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League.
 
The Shorebirds celebrated their 20th season in 2015, and have entertained nearly five million fans since beginning play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md. in 1996. The team has captured South Atlantic League titles in 1997 and 2000 while successfully hosting the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 1999 and 2011.

For more information on the Shorebirds, call 410-219-3112 or visit theshorebirds.com.

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