‘BIRDS SURVIVE FOR 7-6 WIN OVER SUNS

Bundy Tosses Seven-Inning Gem

SALISBURY, Md. – Right-hander Bobby Bundy threw seven innings, allowing one run on four hits and Delmarva withstood a late charge by Hagerstown for a 7-6 victory at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium Monday.

Bundy (1-3) struck out four and did not issue a walk for the win. The Suns (30-29) scored five runs over the final two innings but fell to the Shorebirds (25-34) for the second straight game.

The bullpen duo of Jake Smith and Brent Allar let Hagerstown back in the game. With the Suns down 7-1 in the top of the eighth, they put together a two-out rally to plate four runs off Delmarva left-hander Smith. The visitors strung together five straight hits. The Suns got RBI base hits from Francisco Soriano, Steven Souza and Justin Bloxum to make it 7-5 before Allar came one to get the final out of the stanza on a ground out to shortstop by Destin Hood.

J.P. Ramirez scored from third on a wild pitch in the ninth to pull within one but Allar closed the door to nail down the win with his first save.

Kieron Pope ripped a one-out triple to the gap in right-center field, scoring Ty Kelly from second and 2010 South Atlantic League All-Star Brian Conley from first for a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

The Shorebirds added two more runs in the second to push the lead to 4-0. T.J. Baxter singled to start the frame and stole second. Then, with Garabez Rosa up and two men out, Gary Helmick singled. Baxter got stuck halfway between third and home and scored when Hagerstown first baseman Justin Bloxum dropped the ball.

Helmick scored from second on a wild pitch from Suns’ pitcher Jeff Smoker (0-6). The second baseman moved up on the second stolen base of the inning.

Delmarva led 6-0 after four innings. Steve Bumbry lashed his fifth triple of the year to the wall in right, scoring on a fielder’s choice by Baxter to follow. Baxter then came around from second on an infield single to second base with one out.

Smoker was chased from the game after just four innings. He allowed four earned runs on six hits and one walk. He struck out three.

Bumbry picked up an RBI single off reliever Paul Applebee in the fifth to plate Brian Conley who singled and stole second.

The Shorebirds and Suns play the final game of the series Tuesday 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 Luis Noel (1-2, 53.14). Hagerstown counters with lefty Mitch Clegg (7-0, 3.38).