SHOREBIRDS GAME NOTES: 4/26 @ Hagerstown

Delmarva Shorebirds (10-8) @ Hagerstown Suns (9-9)
April 26, 2010 Municipal Stadium 6:35 p.m.
Series: Tied 1-1
Radio Broadcast: Sportstalk 960 www.sportstalk960.com


PREVIEW: The Shorebirds look to take the upper hand in game three of the series against the Suns. Delmarva had the tying run at the plate in the ninth inning of Sunday afternoon’s game but T.J. Baxter struck out to end the rally. The Shorebirds outhit the Suns yesterday, 10-8. Garabez Rosa went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Matt Hobgood was pinned with his first loss of the season.

TOP OF THE LEAGUE: The Shorebirds hold sole position of first place in the Northern Division. Greensboro topped Lakewood last night, 8-7. The ‘Birds have been atop the division (tied or sole position) every day since 4/11 (15 days).

ROAD WARRIORS: The Shorebirds are 7-3 away from Perdue Stadium and 3-5 at home this season. The ‘Birds are hitting .296 on the road and just .223 at home. The ‘Birds have scored 71 runs in ten games on the road (7.1 per), while they scored 31 runs in eight games at home (3.87 per).

KOLODNY KILLING HAGERSTOWN: Shorebirds third baseman Tyler Kolodny is hitting .435 against the Suns in six games. He has four of his six home runs against the Suns and nine of his 14 total RBIs against the Suns. For comparison sake, Kolodny hit just a .113 against the Suns in 15 games last season.

EIGHT STRAIGHT FOR BUMBRY: Steve Bumbry has reached base in eight straight road games for Delmarva (since 4/9). Bumbry is hitting .371 away from Perdue Stadium (13-35), while he is batting just .185 at home.

MORE HOMERS THAN ‘09: With his second home run last night, Ty Kelly has already eclipsed his homer total from 2009. In 61 games for the Ironbirds last season, he hit just one long ball. Through 15 games, Kelly has 11 RBIs. He finished with 18 last season.

DOMINANT DOWDY: Shorebirds closer Josh Dowdy has been dominant through five appearances this season. He has 12 strikeouts in 7.1 innings. Dowdy has not allowed an earned run.

SLOWING DOWN ON BASES: The Shorebirds have stolen just one base over the last six games. Tyler Kolodny stole second base in game one of the series. For comparison, the Shorebirds stole eight bases in the first series of the year against Greenville. The Shorebirds now rank tied for 13th in the league in stolen bases.

LONG BALL LEADERS: The Shorebirds are tied for the league lead in homers with 15. Asheville has also connected on 15 home runs this season.

STRUCK HIM OUT: The Shorebirds pitching staff paces the SAL with 180 strikeouts on the year. Jake Cowan leads the Shorebirds with 26 strikeouts on the year (3rd in SAL). Ryan Berry is second on the staff with 18.

ONE OF TWO: Jacob Smith is tied for the league lead in wins with three (3-0). Only one other reliever is amongst the six pitchers with three wins on the year (Pete Ruiz, Greenville).

FIRST HIT FOR OHLMAN: Shorebirds catcher Michael Ohlman recorded his first hit of the season yesterday in the ninth inning (double). He started the year 0-for his first 14. He was placed on the DL on 4/13, retroactive to 4/12.