RiverDogs Shut Out 'Birds, 6-0

Salisbury, MD - The Delmarva Shorebirds lost the series opener with the Charleston RiverDogs, 6-0 on Thursday night. Caleb Smith and Jordan Cote stymied the Shorebirds' lineup as Delmarva failed to score a run for the first time in 2014.

Charleston starter Caleb Smith owned the night with a spectacular outing atop the hill. Smith allowed just three hits and one walk in six scoreless innings. The southpaw also fanned a career-high 13 batters in the victory.

The RiverDogs took an early lead, jumping on Delmarva starter Mitch Horacek in the first inning. The first batter of the game, Abiatal Avelino, doubled down the right field line. After a single by Jose Rosario, Avelino scored the game's opening run on a double play.

Already up 1-0, Charleston scored three times in the second inning. With the bases loaded, Gosuke Katoh punched a two-run double the opposite way to the left field corner. A passed ball allowed another run to score.

With Smith dealing on the mound, Charleston extended their lead with runs in the third and fourth inning. Horacek left after 5 2/3 innings, surrendering 11 hits and six runs (five earned) in his second loss of the year.

After Smith finished his outing, Jordan Cote continued the dominance for Charleston. Cote only allowed one baserunner in three innings of work. Cote earned his first save of the season by completing the shutout.

The bright spots for Delmarva were 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief from David Richardson and Williams Louico. Mike Yastrzemski also put together a multi-hit night by going 2-for-4.

The Shorebirds will look to even the series on Friday night in game two. Delmarva turns to right-hander Sebastian Vader (1-1, 2.84) against Charleston right-hander Rookie Davis (2-0, 2.75). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm at Perdue Stadium.