Delmarva Shorebirds Weekly Roundup 4/14-4/21
The Delmarva Shorebirds have started to cool off after their blazing 8-1 start to the season. This past week they finished up their series with the Lakewood Blue Claws, traveled to Hagerstown to battle the Suns, and came back home to face off against the Blue Claws again. The Shorebirds went 4-3 this week and are currently in first place in the South Atlantic League Northern division at 12-4.
At Lakewood Blue Claws
4/14- L (3-1) LP: Brenan Hanifee
4/15- PPD (Rain)
The Shorebirds lost two of three against the Blue Claws last weekend, with the postponed game yet to be rescheduled. Brenan Hanifee went six decent innings, allowing only two runs (both home runs) on seven hits and two strikeouts. Travis Seabrooke came in and threw the final two innings, allowing only one run on three hits, while also striking out two.
The Shorebirds ended the series going an outstandingly bad 7-30 with runners in scoring position. Will Robertson was the lone Bird to notch an RBI in the April 14th loss.
At Hagerstown Suns
4/16- PPD (Wet Grounds)
4/17- W (7-2) WP: Zac Lowther (7 innings)
4/17- W (7-3) WP: Gray Fenter, SV: Nick Vespi (7 inings)
4/18- W (8-4) WP: Alex Katz
With the field too wet to play on Monday, the Shorebirds and Suns did what the legend Ernie Banks always said and played two on Tuesday. The Shorebirds got back on track after losing the Lakewood series, sweeping Hagerstown with dominating pitching. The pitching staff racked up 28 Ks while only allowing 16 hits. The offense went 12-29 with runners in scoring position and home runs were hit by Seamus Curran and two by Zach Jarrett in the make up game.
Lowther went 5 strong innings in game one of the double header, striking out seven while allowing three hits and gave up zero runs to keep his ERA at 0.00
DL Hall started game two of the double header and threw for only two innings. Hall gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks. Hall also struck out two. It appears that the Orioles do not want to risk anything with fourth ranked prospect, since Hall has only thrown five innings in two starts.
However, Hall and reliever Gray Fenter are showing they can be a fearsome 1-2 punch. Fenter came in relief for Hall again and allowed only one run in three innings. Fenter also gave up two hits and one walk while also striking out five. Nick Vespi gave up only one hit while grabbing the two inning save.
Michael Baumann continues his dominant reign as the Shorebirds’ ace, going five innings and allowing an opposing team to score for the first time this season. Baumann allowed two runs on three hits and four walks, while also striking out five. His ERA is now 1.69 after his three starts. Reliever and my newest Instagram follower, Alex Katz, (thanks again for the follow) came in to grab the win by allowing only one hit and three walks in two innings pitched.
Vs. Lakewood Blue Claws
4/19- L (4-3) LP: Travis Seabrooke
4/20- L (5-2) LP: Matthias Dietz
4/21- W (5-4) WP: Scott Burke (10 innings)
4/22- In Progress
The Shorebirds are back home from their eight day road trip, facing the Blue Claws yet again. Cameron Bishop started game one, allowing only one run in six innings of work. Bishop looked to be in line for a win, as the Birds were up 3-1 when he was taken out, but Travis Seabrooke came in for relief and allowed three runs in the eighth inning, earning himself the loss and giving Bishop the no-decision.
Matthias Dietz took the loss in Friday’s matchup, going 3 1/3 innings, giving up four runs. The bats went silent, with only Jarrett and Will Robertson grabbing RBIs.
Saturday the Shorebirds bounced back, winning an extra inning thriller by scoring two runs in the 10th inning. Brenan Hanifee started the game and went seven innings and gave up three runs while striking out eight. Scott Burke came to the mound in the 10th inning and gave up a run while allowing no hits or walks.
Seamus Curran knocked Zach Jarret in for the tying run in the bottom of the 10th with a fly ball single to centerfield, and pinch-hit legend Branden Becker walked it off by bringing in Curran on a ground ball hit into center.
Currently, the Shorebirds are 7-32 with runners in scoring position in the series.
Players of the Week
Hitter of the Week: Zach Jarrett
Jarrett hit three home runs in the past week, two of which were in the same game against the Suns. He also had five RBIs in the same game and tallied six overall for the week. A 28th round draft pick in last year’s draft, Jarrett had a .346 batting average, going 9-26 throughout the week.
Pitcher of the Week: Gray Fenter
Fenter, a seventh round pick in 2015, has been great while paired up with DL Hall. Although he’s only pitched six inning so far, Fenter has allowed only two runs on six hits and one walk, while also striking out six.
