CRUZ CONTAINS DELMARVA IN 4-1 LEXINGTON WIN

‘Birds Have Lost Seven of Their Last Eight Games

Lexington, Ky. – Lexington starter Luis Cruz notched two career highs as the Legends topped the Shorebirds 4-1 in the series opener. The Delmarva Shorebirds have plated just one run in the last 28-innings.

The Legends put their mark on the game early. Jose Altuve led off with a double to deep left field in the first. Two batters later, Jake Goebbert lined a double to straight away center to score Altuve.

The ‘Birds erased the deficit in the fourth inning. Ty Kelly started the frame with single to right field. Brian Conley followed with a slow roller to the right side to advance Kelly to second. Then, Kieron Pope blasted a double through the right-center field gap to score Kelly and tie the game at 1-1.

The Legends grabbed the lead back in the fifth inning. Grant Hogue led off with a bunt single up the first baseline. Altuve then singled to put runners at first and third. Altuve stole his 40th base of the season to get into scoring position. Two batters later, Goebbert delivered a double down the right field line to score both runners.

Lexington tacked on one more run in the seventh inning. Altuve reached on a fielding error by Garabez Rosa. A balk by Kevin Landry moved Altuve to second. Then, with two outs, Gary Helmick misplayed a grounder by Kody Hinze and Altuve scored to build the lead to 4-1.

Luis Cruz (5-2) tossed a career high 7.2 innings to earn the win. He also fanned a career best 10 batters. Cruz dispatched of 10-batters-in-a-row between the fourth and sixth innings.

Patrick Kantakevich (0-4) was pinned with the loss in 5.2 innings pitched. He allowed seven hits and three runs.

The Shorebirds and Legends will play game two of the series on Friday night at Applebee’s Park. RHP Bobby Bundy (2-4, 3.72) takes the hill for Delmarva.