Delmarva Runs Win Streak to Five Games in Greensboro:Shorebirds Mash Three Homers in Big Offensive Night

Delmarva Runs Win Streak to Five Games in Greensboro Shorebirds Mash Three Homers in Big Offensive Night

GREENSBORO, NC – The Shorebirds ripped off their fifth consecutive win on Tuesday night at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro by taking the series opener with the Grasshoppers, 9-6. Greensboro dropped their seventh game in a row.

The Shorebirds (68-64, 26-37) hit the ball hard in the first inning off of Ben Meyer (4-11), but left runners at second and third base without scoring. Greensboro (65-68, 27-36) took advantage of their early opportunity with a pair of first inning runs. Kyle Barrett doubled to right, and with the bases loaded and one out, Justin Twine drove him home on a sac fly. Then J.J. Gould singled to left field, scoring Isael Soto, and gave the ‘Hoppers a solid early edge.

But the Shorebirds came roaring back in the top of the third to tie the game. Drew Turbin and Cedric Mullins (bunt) opened the inning with singles and moved up on a wild pitch. After Ricardo Andujar struck out, Ryan Mountcastle brought home Turbin on a ground out to second base. With two outs, Randolph Gassaway pulled a single into left field to tie the affair. Alex Murphy doubled to left field and put two more runners in scoring position, but Ademar Rifaela struck out to close the inning. The game wouldn’t remain tied at 2-2 for long.

With two outs in the top of the fourth, Cedric Mullins destroyed a ball to right field for his 12th homer of the year. Delmarva took a 4-2 lead, but Greensboro answered right back with John Silviano’s solo homer in the bottom of the fourth. In fact, the Grasshoppers nearly tied the game. With runners at first and second and one out, Stone Garrett bounced one to Andujar at shortstop. He flipped the ball to Drew Turbin to force out Kyle Barrett for the second out of the inning, but the relay throw to first base was too late.

Alex Murphy didn’t lose his composure though. Zach Sullivan raced around third base and tried to score, but Murphy’s throw home was perfectly placed and in time to finish the inning. The odd double play was scored 6-4-3-2.

That’s all of the damage Cristian Alvarado (10-8) would allow. He surrendered three runs on seven hits over five innings and left the game with a 4-3 lead. But the ‘Birds would pad that advantage in the top of the sixth, thanks to Stuart Levy’s fourth home run of the year and Drew Turbin’s fifth blast of the season. Delmarva added a run in the seventh as well to take a commanding 9-3 lead.

Greensboro scratched across a couple of runs in the seventh and for a solo shot from Stone Garrett in the ninth, but the night belonged to Delmarva.

The Shorebirds continue their final road series of the season in Greensboro on Wednesday with a double-header. First pitch of game one is slated for 5:00 pm, with game two following 30 minutes after the first one concludes. Brendan Gulick will have the broadcast beginning with Shorebirds On-Deck at 4:45 pm on Fox Sports AM 960 and online at theshorebirds.com.

For more information on the Shorebirds, call 410-219-3112 or visit theshorebirds.com.

Brendan Gulick
Delmarva Shorebirds, Class A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles