LEGENDS COMPLETE SWEEP OF SHOREBIRDS IN WILD FINALE, 9-8

‘Birds Open Seven-Game Homestand on Monday at Perdue

Lexington, Ky. – On a chaotic final play in the ninth inning, the Legends knocked off the Shorebirds, 9-8, at Applebee’s Park on Saturday night. The Shorebirds were swept for the first time all season.

The Legends powered their way onto the scoreboard in the second. Jake Goebbert hit a lead-off single and Jonathan Meyer reached on an error by Garabez Rosa. Then, Andy Simunic hit a line drive homer to left field to give the Legends a 3-0. Two batters later, Brian Kemp reached on a sharp single into center field. Then, Jose Altuve hit a towering homer to right field to give the Legends a 5-0 advantage.

Delmarva came to life in the fifth inning. Garabez Rosa reached second on a throwing error by shortstop Miguel Arrendell. Jason Stifler and T.J. Baxter then drew back-to-back walks. With the bases loaded, Gary Helmick connected on a sacrifice fly to left-center field to plate Rosa. Then, Brian Conley walked to load the bases again. The Legends then replaced Brad Dydalewicz with Zachary Grimmett. He proceeded to plunk Kieron Pope to force jp,e Stifler. Tyler Stampone followed with a flare single to right field to score Baxter to cut the deficit to 5-3.

The Shorebirds ripped the lead away from Lexington in the sixth inning. Garabez Rosa led off with a bunt single. After two outs were recorded, Gary Helmick and Brian Conley both walked. Then, Kieron Pope blasted a bases-clearing double off the top of the center field wall to lift the ‘Birds in front 6-5.

The lead was short-lived. Altuve connected on a two-run homer to right field to give the Legends the lead back at 7-6. J.D. Martinez recorded an RBI single to plate Arrendell to give the Legends a 8-6 edge.

The ‘Birds knotted the affair with two in the eighth. Tyler Stampone had the equalizing RBI on a hard hit grounder up the right field line.

The Legends were able to squeeze out the win in the bottom of the ninth inning. Martinez hit a lead-off infield single. Two batters later, Jake Goebbert hit a hard grounder to first that skipped up the right field line to push Martinez to third. Conley retrieved the baseball and fired back to T.J. Baxter, who noticed Goebbert running to second. T.J. then fired to second but the ball sailed over Rosa and into left field allowing Martinez to come into score the winning run.

The Shorebirds return to Perdue Stadium on June 14 to take on the Kannapolis Intimidators.