SHOREBIRDS GAME NOTES: 7/24 vs. Lakewood

PREVIEW: Following a three games to one series loss to Hickory, the Shorebirds return home for a five-game series against BlueClaws. The Shorebirds are in third place, three games behind the first place BlueClaws. The Shorebirds have lost four of their five games. Meanwhile, Lakewood is coming off a series split against Charleston.

BREAKDOWN OF OPPONENTS: The Shorebirds have 43 games remaining in 2010. Here is a breakdown of their remaining opponents. The ‘Birds will play: 10 games against Lakewood (17-10), four games vs. Hickory (16-12), nine games against Lexington (14-14), eight games against Hagerstown (10-18), four games against Augusta (15-13), four vs. Kannapolis (11-17) and four against West Virginia (11-17).

THREE STRAIGHT WITH HOMER: For the first time this season, the Shorebirds have connected on at least one home run in three straight games. The string started on 7/21 when Tyler Townsend hit a home run. On July 22, Townsend and Brian Conley went yard. Last night, Conley hit a lead off home run in the first inning.

45 HITS: The Shorebirds pitching staff surrendered 45 hits in the four game series against Hickory.

11 ERRORS: The Shorebirds committed 11 errors in the four game set against Hickory.

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.

20 STRAIGHT: TJ Baxter has reached base in 20 straight games played at Perdue Stadium dating back to May 21.

11-GAMER AT PERDUE: Brian Conley takes an 11-game hit streak at Perdue Stadium into game one. He is 13-for-39 at home in the second half of the season.

LEANDRO/VALLE: The combination of Leandro Castro and Sebastian Valle have recorded 20 of the 46 RBIs against the Shorebirds.

11 of 31: Steve Bumbry has notched 11 of his 31 total RBIs this season against Lakewood. Bumbry also has five doubles, a triple and a home run against Lakewood.

FIRST OUT OF PEN: James Brandhorst only pitched to one batter in the entire Hickory series (7/22). Nick Haughian threw three innings on July 20.

CONLEY HOME RUNS: In 102 minor league games entering 2010, Brian Conley connected on just four home runs. In 89 games this season for the Shorebirds, he has five long balls.

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: The Shorebirds have not qualified for the SAL playoffs in four years. In 2005, the Shorebirds last made the playoffs by winning the second half (42-27). The Shorebirds lost to Hagerstown two games to one in the semi-finals.