SHOREBIRDS DROP 12-4 DECISION ON TUESDAY

SALISBURY, Md. – Savannah used a five-run first inning and a one-hit, five-inning performance from right-hander Armando Rodriguez to defeat the Delmarva Shorebirds, 12-4, in front of 4,817 fans at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium Tuesday.

The Sand Gnats (17-9) got first- and second inning home runs from Juan Lagares and Jefry Marte, respectively to drop the Shorebirds to 14-11 on the season.

Rodriguez (2-3) allowed three runs and three walks with three strikeouts for the win. Four players had two hits apiece for Savannah, led by Marte who went 2-for-5 with three runs scored, the home run and two RBI.

Mikey Planeta was 2-for-4 with a run and double.

Savannah sent nine men to the plate in the top of the first against Delmarva starter Tony Butler (1-2). The Sand Gnats got on the scoreboard with a two-run home run to right field off the bat of left fielder Lagares.

Butler then allowed a single to left by Wilmer Flores and a walk from Sam Honeck to put runners on first and second with no outs. After a flyout, Cesar Puello doubled to center, scoring Flores for a 3-0 lead.

Savannah added to its lead with an RBI infield single to third by Alex Gregory and a Butler wild pitch that chased Puello in from third.

Butler lasted two innings, surrendering six hits and eight earned runs. He walked three and struck out one.

Delmarva battled back to make it 8-2 in the bottom of the second. The Shorebirds loaded the bases with one out on a pair of walks and an error, before catcher Michael Ohlman lifted a flyball to center for a sacrifice fly to plate Tyler Stampone. Steve Bumbry later scored on Marte’s second error of the inning.

Marte dropped a routine popup in the bottom of the third, allowing Tyler Kolodny to reach with two outs. Kolodny moved up when Stampone was hit by a pitch and scored as Bumbry hit behind the runner in the hole on the right side to cut the deficit to 8-3.

The ‘Birds picked up one in the bottom of the sixth to pull within four at 8-4. Planeta started the inning with a double down the left-field line off Savannah relief pitcher Erik Turgeon. After a lineout by Ohlman, T.J. Baxter bounced a ball up the middle that second baseman Alonzo Harris misplayed, scoring Planeta.

The Sand Gnats got the run back in the top of the seventh on a two-out RBI single through the left side by catcher Dock Doyle off righty reliever Randy Henry.

The Shorebirds and Sand Gnats square off in the third game of the series Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. For tickets and information, contact the Shorebirds’ box office at (410) 219-3112. On the mound will be right-hander Ryan Berry (0-1, 2.76 ERA). Savannah counters with lefty James Fuller (3-1, 1.87).