SHOREBIRDS DOWN BLUECLAWS 2-1 IN SERIES OPENER

Swenson Earns First Win and Startup Earns First Save

Salisbury, Md. – The Delmarva Shorebirds broke a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning and went onto top the Lakewood BlueClaws 2-1 at FirstEnergy Park on Thursday night. The Shorebirds were outhit 9-4 but managed to win. The ‘Birds are 4-2 this season at FirstEnergy Park.

The Shorebirds sprinted ahead in the first inning. After the first two batters struck out, Brian Conley hit a double to right field. It was his first at-bat since hurting his quad on July 31. Then, Kieron Pope hit a chopper to third that tipped off the glove of Stephen Batts and into shallow right field, allowing Conley to score.

Lakewood knotted the affair at 1-1 in the fifth. Keoni Ruth hit a lead off double down the left field line. Two batters later, Leandro Castro hit a check-swing flare into shallow left field to plate Ruth.

The Shorebirds regained the lead in the eighth inning. T.J. Baxter reached on a fielder’s choice. He then stole his team high 29th base of the season. With one out, Ty Kelly ripped a double down the right field line to plate Baxter and give the ‘Birds a 2-1 edge.

Aaron Swenson earned the win in two shutout innings. He relieved Brent Allar in the sixth inning and allowed just two hits.

Will Startup earned his first save of the season by shutting down the BlueClaws in the eighth and ninth innings. Startup fanned three batters in the two innings.

Brent Allar pitched well in a starting role. In five innings, he allowed seven hits and one run.

Lakewood’s second reliever Ebelin Lugo was pinned with the loss.

The Shorebirds and BlueClaws square off in game two on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Kenny Moreland makes the start for Delmarva.