SHOREBIRDS GAME NOTES: 7/23 @ Hickory

PREVIEW: The Shorebirds dropped back into third place as Hickory took game three, 7-5 on Thursday night. The Crawdads plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 5-5 tie. The ‘Birds are now two games behind Lakewood for the top spot in the Northern division. Delmarva has 44 games remaining in 2010 and nine games remaining in July.

TOWNSEND GOES YARD AGAIN:

Townsend did not hit a home run in his first 22 games played season. The 3rd round selection in 2009 has hit three home runs in seven games since. Townsend has 11 RBIs in his last five games and 19 in the month of July (20 games played). The Lewes, Delaware native also has 10 hits in the last five games.

LAKEWOOD SERIES LOOMS:

The Shorebirds (third place) and BlueClaws (first place) will play a key five-game series starting on Saturday night at Perdue Stadium. The ‘Birds are 6-7 against the BlueClaws this season.

LAST TIME IN FIRST:

The Shorebirds have not had a hold of first place in the Northern Division since April 25th.

NO SERIES LOSSES:

The Shorebirds will look to avoid dropping their first since the opening series of the second half against Lakewood. The ‘Birds are 3-0-1 in their last four series.
SINCE 2005...: Since 2005, only two Shorebirds players have finished a season with an above .300 batting average with 200 or more at-bats. Ryan Adams hit .308 in 2008. Adams played in 119 games and totaled 448 at-bats. In 2005, Jason Fransz hit .308 in 103 games and 396 at-bats. Tyler Townsend has the best chance to join the .300 club. He needs 88 more at-bats to get to 200.

FIRST LEFTY:

Tonight marks the first time since July 6 that the Shorebirds will face a left-handed starter. The ‘Birds faced 14 straight right-handed starters. Robbie Erlin, who is starting tonight, is also the last lefty to start against Delmarva.