'Birds Split Day-Night Doubleheader
Kenny Moreland has been the horse of the 'Birds staff and he thrilled in the day game on Saturday. After sitting down ten in a row to start out the game, Moreland allowed a double down the right-field line to Burt Reynolds to break up perfection.
Meanwhile, in the top of the fourth, Garabez Rosa gave Aberdeen the lead with a one out two-run bomb to left field. Rosa and Conley scored to give the 'Birds a 2-0 lead and that would be all Moreland would need.
Moreland sat down the next 11 he faced to lock down the win. Moreland tossed a complete game, one hitter, walked none and struck out six to pick up his fifth win. Jason McEachern was hit with his second loss for the Renegades.
After a four and a half hour break, the two teams were back at it. Jake Cowan got the nod for his first start in Aberdeen as he opposed the struggling Aaron Dott. But tonight, Dott was fabulous.
The lanky lefty chucked five scoreless against the IronBirds, all while giving up just one base hit, walked no one and fanned five.
The 'Gades got on the board in the third inning on a peculiar play. After a leadoff double by Dustin Biell, Tyler Bortnick tapped a grounder to the right side to move Biell over to third. Brett Nommensen lifted a ball to medium depth left field and the 'Birds right fielder Arthur Bonevacia slipped while tracking the ball. From his knees, Bonevacia offered but could not make the catch and Biell crossed the plate.
Kevin Landry took over for Cowan in the fifth and he dazzled through two innings, striking out five. Zach Quate kept the pace for Hudson Valley as he silenced the IronBirds through two.
Aberdeen had a great chance to score in the seventh inning as Richard D'Oleo sprayed a double down the left field line. Justin Dalles was next and he hit a rocket off the third baseman's glove that caromed into left and D'Oleo got the go-ahead to try and score. D.J. Jones came up throwing and D'Oleo was cut down at the plate. Tom Edwards popped up to end the game.
The IronBirds and Renegades will play the final game of five total on Sunday at 5:05pm. Tune in and catch every pitch at ironbirdsbaseball.com.