Delmarva Sweeps Augusta, 6-4

Salisbury, MD - The Delmarva Shorebirds finished off a three-game sweep of the Augusta GreenJackets with a 6-4 win on Friday night. After dominant shutouts the previous two nights, the Shorebirds (16-17) closed out a tight victory with an impressive bullpen performance.

Augusta jumped on Delmarva starter Sebastian Vader early to score their first run of the series. Christian Arroyo smashed a leadoff home run to start the game, crushing any hopes for three consecutive shutouts moments into the contest.

Trailing for the first time in the series, Delmarva responded immediately with two runs in the bottom of the first. Austin Wynns punched a two-out double down the right field line to score both Jeff Kemp and Trey Mancini.

Wynns delivered another run-scoring base knock in the third inning. After Delmarva loaded the bases against Carlos Diaz, Wynns stroked an RBI single to bring home Kemp again. The Shorebirds made it 4-1 when Diaz struck Gregory Lorenzo with a pitch, forcing home another run.

In the fourth inning, Mike Yastrzemski led off with a triple to the right-center gap. It was the fourth triple of the season for Yastrzemski, tied for the second-most in the league. Mancini collected an RBI on a fielder's choice, beating out a potential inning-ending double play.

Delmarva seemed to be cruising up 5-1, until Augusta stormed back in the top of the fifth. The GreenJackets scored three runs in the fifth, highlighted by a two-run triple to center by Tyler Horan. Vader managed to strand Horan on third base, keeping Delmarva in front by a single run.

Augusta moved the tying run into scoring position a few more times, only for the Delmarva bullpen to shut the door. Jon Keller stranded a runner on third base in both the sixth and seventh innings. Keller pitched three scoreless innings, surrendering just two hits and striking out five batters. For his effort, Keller picked up his team-high third hold of the season.

Delmarva added a key insurance run in the eighth inning. Hector Veloz doubled and then advanced later on a wild pitch to set up an opportunity for Federico Castagnini. The Shorebirds' second baseman delivered with a sacrifice fly to make it 6-4.

Jimmy Yacabonis pitched the ninth inning, earning his league-best eighth save. Sebastian Vader improved to 4-1 with the victory, though he allowed four runs in only five innings. Carlos Diaz evened his season record to 3-3 with the defeat.

The Shorebirds will try to continue their success at home with a four-game series against the Lakewood BlueClaws. Delmarva turns to right-hander Luc Rennie (0-3, 8.03) in the series opener against Lakewood righty Alejandro Arteaga (3-3, 7.94). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm at Perdue Stadium.