‘CLAWS PITCHING STIFLES ‘BIRDS IN 5-2 WIN

Shorebirds Record Just Two Hits

Lakewood, NJ – The Delmarva Shorebirds did not record their first hit until the seventh inning as the Lakewood BlueClaws took game four of the series, 5-2, at FirstEnergy Park on Sunday. The Shorebirds managed only five base runners all game.

The Shorebirds raced to an early lead in the first inning without the aid of a hit. T.J. Baxter drew a lead off walk. He reached second on a wild pitch and stole third, his 30th steal of the season. Then, Ty Kelly hit a liner to deep left field that was misplayed and dropped by Leandro Castro to score Baxter. Kelly was credited with an RBI on the error by Castro.

Lakewood erased the deficit in the second. Jeremy Barnes hit a one out double. Two batters later, Keoni Ruth hit a liner that sailed over the head off Gary Helmick at short to plate Barnes.

In the third, the BlueClaws grabbed the lead for good. Jonathan Singleton hit a solo homer to dead center field to give the ‘Claws a 2-1 lead. Two batters later, Jeremy Barnes walked. Then, Kyle Lafrenz hit a hard grounder inside the first base bag and towards the right field corner to score to Barnes.

The BlueClaws added two more runs in the fifth inning. Michael Dabbs notched a double to score Stephen Batts and Lafrenz singled to plate Dabbs.

BlueClaws starter Colby Shreve earned the win in five innings. He did not allow a hit. Julio Rodriguez and Mike McGuire combined to silence the ‘Birds from the sixth inning forward.

Shorebirds starter Patrick Kantakevich was pinned with the loss in five innings.

‘Birds reliever Will Startup shutdown the BlueClaws over the final 3.2 innings. He did not allow a hit or a run and struck out three.

The Shorebirds and BlueClaws square off in the series finale on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Bobby Bundy makes the start for Delmarva.