Aberdeen Snaps Scoreless Streak in 2-1 Defeat
ABERDEEN, MD- The IronBirds (9-17) fell to the Muckdogs (16-10) in the first game of the series, 2-1. Aberdeen plated a run in the bottom of the seventh to keep the game within one score but Batavia held onto the lead. In the losing effort, LF Anthony Vega raised his hitting streak to 10, a season-high for the Birds.
Batavia’s attack began in the second inning; SS Alex Mejia grounded a RBI single to center field bringing CF Matthew Young to the plate. Following three scoreless innings, the Muckdogs picked up another run in the sixth. C Jose Montero singled 1B David Washington home on a ground ball to right field.
Trailing by a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame, 1B Tyler Townsend doubled on a ground ball to right field. SS Joel Hutter smacked a RBI single to left field sending Townsend to the plate. Hutter’s 10th RBI of the season snapped the IronBirds’ 15-inning scoreless streak.
LHP Tyler Melling (2-0) picked up the win on the night, earning a career-high of six strikeouts. RHP David Richardson (1-1) got the loss for Aberdeen. Richardson pitched a career-high 5.2 innings.
Out of the IronBirds’ bullpen, RHP Kenneth Wise tossed a season-high 2.1 scoreless innings without allowing a hit. RHP Bobby Wilkins closed out the game retiring the Muckdogs in order with three strikeouts.
The IronBirds and Muckdogs will play game two of their three-game series at home on Sunday, July 15 at Ripken Stadium. RHP Mark Blackmar (2-1, 3.04) will start for the Birds while Batavia will counter with RHP Joe Cuda (2-0, 1.83). First pitch from Ripken Stadium is set for 5:35 p.m. with coverage on the IronBirds Radio Network at 5:20 p.m.
