‘Birds have won six of last eight games
Charleston, WV – The Delmarva Shorebirds (12-17) scored seven runs in the first inning and cruised to a 9-4 series finale win over the West Virginia Power (15-15) on Sunday afternoon. The Shorebirds have won six of their last eight games and have won back-to-back series.
In the first inning, Power starter Ryan Hafner issued four walks and also hit a batter helping the Shorebirds sprint to a 7-0 lead. Mikey Planeta capped the inning with a bases clearing double to the wall in left-center field to build a 7-0 lead.
The Shorebirds added to a 7-1 lead in the fifth inning. Brenden Webb was hit by a pitch to open the inning. Then, Jason Esposito connected on his fourth home run of the season to stretch the lead to 9-1.
Shorebirds starter Matt Taylor worked 6.2 innings to earn his fourth win of the season. He allowed seven hits and three runs. Taylor did not give up a run between the second and sixth innings.
Gene Escat entered in the seventh and retired the first five batters faced before allowing a home run in the ninth inning to Eric Avila. In 2.1 innings pitched, Escat allowed just two hits.
Jerome Pena led the Shorebirds offense with a 3-for-5 night. Connor Narron went 2-for-5.
The Shorebirds travel to Hickory, North Carolina to open a four-game series against the Crawdads on Monday, July 23 at 7:00pm. RHP Zach Davies is the scheduled starter for game one.
