‘BIRDS SQUEEZE PAST SUNS IN GAME ONE, 4-3

Will Startup Earns First Win of Season

Hagerstown, Md. – The Delmarva Shorebirds bullpen silenced the Hagerstown Suns in the final four innings to lead the ‘Birds to a 4-3 win at Municipal Stadium on Wednesday night. Three Shorebirds pitchers combined to strike out ten batters without issuing a walk. The Shorebirds have won back-to-back games for the first time since August 7th and 8th. Trent Mummey, Mike Flacco and Levi Carolus each recorded three hits.

The Suns grabbed the early lead in the first inning. Rick Hague hit a lead off double. He moved to third on a ground out by Adrian Sanchez. Then, J.P. Ramirez scorched a liner up the middle to plate Hague.

The Shorebirds erased the deficit in the second. Mike Flacco led off with a single and advanced to second on a misplay by left fielder J.P. Ramirez. Levi Carolus singled to move Flacco to third. Then, Omar Casamayor singled through the right side of the infield to knot the score at 1-1.

In the third, the Shorebirds took their first lead of the night. T.J. Baxter led off with a bunt single to the right side. Baxter then stole his 34th base of the season. Trent Mummey followed with a triple ripped down the right field line to plate Baxter. With Mummey at third, Kelly hit a grounder to short to plate Mummey and give the ‘Birds a 3-1 edge.

The Suns chipped into the deficit in the third inning. Eury Perez led off with a single and stole his 52nd base of the season. Later in the inning, Perez scored on a groundout by Adrian Sanchez to cut the deficit to 3-2.

In the fourth, the Shorebirds added a run to build a 4-2 lead. Rosa started the frame with a single. Kyle Moore followed with a single to advance Rosa to third. Trent Mummey reached on a fielder’s choice and Rosa scored.

The Suns moved within one in the fifth inning on an RBI single by J.P. Ramirez, who finished 4-for-5.

Will Startup earned his first win of the season in three shutout innings. He allowed five hits and only one run. Startup struck out six and did not walk a batter.

James Brandhorst came on in the eighth inning and tossed two scoreless innings. He allowed just one hit. Brandhorst has not allowed a run in eight straight outings.

The Shorebirds and Suns play game two of the series on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.