Four-Run Sixth Lifts Shorebirds to 5-2 Win
Salisbury, MD - The Delmarva Shorebirds (15-15) scored four runs in the sixth inning en route to a 5-2 win over the Charleston RiverDogs (14-14) on Sunday afternoon at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.
The Shorebirds grabbed an early lead in the first inning. Gregory Lorenzo drew a lead off walk. He stole his 12th base of the season, most in the Orioles farm system, and scored on a double down the right field line by Torsten Boss.
The RiverDogs plated two runs in the fourth to take the lead. Peter O'Brien and Yeicok Calderon hit back-to-back singles to put runners at second and third to begin the inning. Then, Taylor Dugas hit an RBI groundout to short to tie the game. Kelvin DeLeon followed with a hard one hopper to short that rolled off Adrian Marin's glove, allowing Calderon to score.
Shorebirds starter Mark Blackmar lasted 3.2 innings.
The Shorebirds regained the lead in the sixth inning with four runs on five hits. Nik Balog and Lucas Herbst hit back-to-back singles to open the inning to put runners at second and third. The RiverDogs made a pitching change and brought Phil Wetherell in for Brett Gerritse. Wetherell's first pitch was wild and Nik Balog came into score. Anthony Vega followed with a soft line drive into right-center field to put the Shorebirds on top 3-2. Later in the inning, Christian Walker hit a two-run single to stretch the lead to 5-2.
Walker went 3-for-5 to anchor the Shorebirds offense.
Matt Hobgood earned the win over 4.1 innings of relief. He allowed one hit and retired the final ten batters faced.
Matt Price entered in the ninth inning and earned his fifth save of the season.
The Shorebirds and RiverDogs play game two of the series on Monday, May 6 at 7:05pm. RHP Parker Bridwell is the scheduled starter for Delmarva.