SHOREBIRDS GAME NOTES: 7/21 @ Hickory

PREVIEW: The ‘Birds look to level the series and return to second place in the division. Delmarva fell last night 4-1 as Matt Thompson stifled the ‘Birds for seven full innings. Hickory jumped over Delmarva in the standings. Lakewood lost last night to Charleston, so the ‘Birds remain two games out of first place.

STREAKING ‘BIRDS: Three Shorebirds take hit streaks into game two against Hickory. Luis Bernardo is on a career high eight-game hit streak, while Ty Kelly is also on an eight-game hit streak. T.J. Baxter takes a four-game hit streak into game two.

OMAR CASAMAYOR: The 23-year old joined the club for game one of the series. He recorded his first SAL at-bat in the ninth inning when he pinch hit for Gary Helmick and grounded out to third. Casamayor hit .309 in 24 games for Aberdeen this season. The Palmira, Venezuela native is in his sixth year with the Orioles organization. Last season, he hit .279 with 21 RBIs in Bluefield.

FRIENDLY CONFINES OF PERDUE: The Shorebirds are 15-7 in their last 22 home games at Perdue Stadium. The ‘Birds are now over .500 at home on the season at 25-24.

FOUR IN A ROW: The Shorebirds have lost four straight games at L.P. Frans Stadium. In their first trip to Hickory (5/24-27), the ‘Birds won the opener and lost the last three.