‘BIRDS SQUANDER LEAD IN EIGHTH AND FALL, 4-3

Ty Kelly Blasts Third Homer of the Season

Lakewood, NJ – The Delmarva Shorebirds gave up two runs in the bottom of the eighth as the Lakewood BlueClaws came from behind to win 4-3 at FirstEnergy Park on Friday night. The series is tied at one game apiece.

The Shorebirds lit up the scoreboard for the first time in the fifth inning. Luis Bernardo ripped a one out single into right field. Mike Mooney then reached on the 34th error of the season by shortstop Jonathan Villar. Ty Kelly was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. With two outs, Tyler Townsend hit a soft chopper to the right side of the mound. Brody Colvin fielded clean but sailed the throw over the head of Jonathan Singleton, allowing Bernardo and Mooney to score.

Shorebirds starter Patrick Kantakevich departed after the fourth inning. He allowed only two Lakewood hits. The Rockville, Maryland product fanned six batters.

In the sixth inning, the BlueClaws trimmed the deficit to one. Phillies rehabbing catcher Carlos Ruiz hit a one out infield single. Jonathan Singleton walked to push Ruiz to second. After Leandro Castro struck out, Sebastian Valle hit a single up the middle to plate Ruiz.

The BlueClaws tied the game in the seventh inning. Adam Buschini hit a lead off double down the left field line. Then, two batters later, Jonathan Villar hit a triple to the warning track in right field to score Buschini. Nick Haughian was then replaced by Tom Phelps, who proceeded to strike out Jiwan James and pop out Ruiz to second.

The Shorebirds took the lead on the first pitch of the eighth inning. Ty Kelly drilled a fastball from new pitcher Ebelin Lugo over the right field wall. It was his third homer of the season and first since April 25th.

Lakewood scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth in take their first lead of the night. Singleton drew a lead off walk. After two outs were recorded, Singleton scored on a single up the middle by Stephen Batts. Then, Batts stole second and advanced to third as Luis Bernardo misfired into center field. Phelps then hurled a wild pitch, allowing Batts to score to give the ‘Claws a 4-3 lead.

Jordan Ellis came on in the ninth and finished the ‘Birds in order.

Ebelin Lugo picked up the win as the pitcher of record in the eighth while Tom Phelps was pinned with the loss.

Game three of the series will be contested on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Bobby Bundy takes the hill for the ‘Birds.