Suns snap four game skid with win over Shorebirds

SALISBURY, MD (June 7, 2019) - Jake Irvin dazzled in his return from the injured list, leading the Suns to a 5-1 win over the Delmarva Shorebirds at Perdue Stadium Friday. 
Irvin (W, 4-3) spun 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out three in the victory. The righty did not allow a hit throught 4.2 innings, and did not allow a runner to advance past first base while he was in the game. 

The Hagerstown (27-34) offense also struck early to give Irvin the lead. The Suns loaded the bases in the third inning against Shorebirds (45-15) starter Ofelky Peralta (L, 4-1), who then walked Israel Pineda to force in the first run. Kyle Marinconz followed that up with an RBI infield single to give Hagerstown a 2-0 lead. 
The Suns went right back to work in the fourth, tacking on two more runs on a two-out, two-run single from all-star Jacob Rhinesmith. Hagerstown's final run would come in to score on a Jose Sanchez RBI single in the fifth. The win for the Suns snapped a four-game losing streak, and the five runs they scored surpassed the four combined runs they scored in those four defeats. 
The 5-0 lead for Hagerstown was plenty of run support for the bullpen, which took over for Irvin in the sixth. Jacob Howell worked 1.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts and is still yet to allow a run in 6.2 innings of work this season. Chandler Day then came on to finish the job. He did allow a run - a solo home run off the bat of JC Encarnacion in the eighth - but was able to otherwise spin two strong innings. The long ball snapped a 12.2 innings scoreless streak for Day. 
The Delmarva bullpen was able to hold down the Hagerstown offense, with Matthew Hammonds (three innings) and Jhon Peluffo (two innings) each putting together solid outings. But the Suns pitching was too much on the other side, never allowing the Shorebirds to mount a comeback. The Suns are now 3-6 aginst Delmarva this season.
The Suns continue their series with the Shorebirds tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. RHP Francys Peguero (2-4, 2.59 ERA) takes the ball for Hagerstown while RHP Hector Guance (2-2, 4.42 ERA) will toe the rubber for Delmarva.
After the seven-game road trip, the Suns return to Municipal Stadium May 10 to begin a seven-game homestand against the BlueClaws and the West Virginia Power. The stretch is filled with great promotions, including Bark in the Park, Thirsty Thursday, Pink Night and Sunday Funday! For tickets or more information visit hagerstownsuns.com or call 301-791-6266.