Petersen Hits Fifth Home Run in Five Games Since Returing to Greensboro Roster
GREENSBORO – Greensboro left the bases loaded in the home-half of the fifth before heavy rains brought the game to an end following an hour and four minute delay.
With the go-ahead run on first base, Danny Garcia hit a swift line drive to third base and Mike Stanton, who represented the game-tying run, was forced out on the play to end the fifth inning. Greensboro lost 5-3 to Delmarva after the decision was made by the umpire to call the game.
Things looked great out of the gate for the Hoppers as Bryan Petersen hit his 17th home run of the season for Greensboro; it was his fifth in as many games since returning from a one-game, 4-for-4 performance at Double-A Carolina on June 29. The two-run, first-inning blast put Greensboro on top and starter Brett Durand looked strong, facing just one over the minimum through the first three innings.
Durand was working through the fourth when a double-play ball that would have ended the top of the fourth inning was missed by first-baseman Hunter Mense. The ball sailed into the stands allowing Ryan Adams to score and Tyler Henson to advance to second. Durand walked and hit the next two batters in order before giving up a grand slam to Brian Valichka; all five runs in the inning were unearned.
Although the runs were unearned, the damage was already done and the Hoppers had handed the lead over to Delmarva.
With the rain already coming down, Greensboro scored one run in the home-half of the fifth inning and left the bases loaded before the delay began.
An hour and four minutes later as several cells were traveling through the Greensboro area, the two-man umpire crew decided they had waited long enough and call the game. Since the two teams had completed five innings, the game was official and Greensboro was dealt the loss.
Greensboro and Delmarva will look to wrap up the current four-game set with the series finale beginning Sunday at 5:00 p.m. The Hoppers’ game is their last before they hit the road for four games in Rome, Ga., and another four in Columbus, Ga.
Postgame Quick Stats
Win – Robert Neigebauer (1-0); Loss – Brett Durand (7-5); Save – None
Time –1:35 (1:04 delay); Attendance – 6,657
*****from Justin Stottlemyre Hoppers’ media assistant*****