HOBGOOD STIFLES BLUECLAWS IN 8-4 WIN

‘Birds Win Back-to-Back For First Time Since May 1st and 3rd

SALISBURY, Md. – The Delmarva Shorebirds tallied their most runs at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium of the 2010 season in an 8-4 victory over the Lakewood BlueClaws Saturday in front of 6,249 fans.

Right-hander Matt Hobgood pitched six innings, allowing a single run on a solo homer in the fourth inning on the way to the win. Hobgood (3-4) scattered four hits and a walk while striking out four as the Shorebirds picked up their first consecutive wins since May 1-3 against Asheville and Savannah.

Designated hitter Kieron Pope and catcher Michael Ohlman each had two hits to lead the ‘Birds 10-hit attack and Ohlman and left fielder Steve Bumbry combined for five of the team’s eight RBIs.

Eight of the nine Delmarva position players recorded at least one hit and with all except Mychal Givens scoring runs.

Delmarva took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. The Shorebirds loaded the bases with one out on a fielder’s choice, single and walk before designated hitter Kieron Pope drove in T.J. Baxter with a sinking line drive that Lakewood left fielder Leandro Castro made a diving catch for the second out.

Tyler Stampone then served the ball into right field to score Ty Kelly and Bumby hooked a triple over the bag and into the right-field corner to chase home Brian Conley and Stampone.

Castro got the BlueClaws on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth with a line-drive home run to left with one out off Hobgood. The solo shot was his third on the season.

The Shorebirds made it 7-1 in the bottom of the fifth, knocking BlueClaws’ starter Colby Shreve out of the game in the process.

Pope led off the frame with a base hit to left and advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and throwing error by Adam Buschini at third base. A Stampone grounder to first scored Pope.

Bumbry came across for Delmarva’s sixth run which spelled the end for Shreve. Givens greeted right-handed reliever Ebelin Lugo rudely. He sent a base hit to right to score Olhman who doubled to left earlier in the inning.

Shreve (3-2) went 4.2 innings, surrendering seven runs (four earned), six hits and three walks.

He struck out three.

Sebastian Valle cut the lead to 7-4 with a three homer in the seventh off of righty Pat Kantakevich. The William & Mary product allowed the first two to reach in the inning on a hit and walk prior to Valle’s laser to left sliced the advantage in half. It was the catcher’s second long ball of the year.

Ohlman doubled to the gap in left-center field to score Mikey Planeta with two outs in the seventh for the final margin.

Jonathan Singleton was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk to pace Lakewood in the loss.

The Shorebirds and BlueClaws meet in Game 3 of the series Sunday at 2:05 p.m. For tickets and information, contact the Shorebirds’ box office at (410) 219-3112. On the mound will be right-hander Jesse Beal for Delmarva (4-2, 3.56). Lefty Matt Way (3-4, 4.50) will pitch for Lakewood.