The Fredericksburg Nationals defeated the Delmarva Shorebirds 5-4 on a walk-off balk Aug. 5 at Virginia Credit Union Stadium in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Everett Cooper scored the winning run in extra innings after starting the inning as the automatic runner at second base and advancing to third on a Manny Cabrera flyout.
Delmarva Shorebirds pitcher Zac Lampton balked with Cooper at third, giving the Fredericksburg Nationals their second victory of the series. The win also marked Fredericksburg9s fourth victory in its last five games.
Fredericksburg Nationals Build an Early Lead
Landon Harmon made his third start since returning from the injured list and allowed one run in 3.2 innings. Jordan Sanchez hit a solo home run for the Delmarva Shorebirds in the third inning, but Harmon has allowed only one run through his first eight innings since returning.
The Fredericksburg Nationals answered in the bottom of the third inning. Luke Dickerson hit a solo home run, his 13th of the season, to tie the game, and Hunter Hines followed with a two-run double after Coy James walked and Gavin Fien singled.
Delmarva Shorebirds Rally Before Jamison Jones Responds
The Delmarva Shorebirds regained the lead with a two-out rally in the top of the seventh inning. Jaden Lo Re hit his second double of the game, DJ Layton followed with an RBI single to tie the score at 3-3, and Jhomnardo Reyes added an RBI single that put Delmarva ahead 4-3.
The lead lasted only until the bottom of the inning. Jamison Jones hit a solo home run, his ninth of the season, to tie the game at 4-4.
Everett Cooper Scores the Winning Run
Gus Hughes pitched a scoreless extra-inning frame for the Fredericksburg Nationals. Cooper began the bottom of the inning at second base as the automatic runner, and Cabrera9s flyout moved him to third.
Lampton then balked, allowing Cooper to score the winning run. The walk-off gave the Fredericksburg Nationals the first two games of the series.
Fredericksburg Nationals Prepare for Next Game
The Fredericksburg Nationals will seek at least a series split in the next game against the Delmarva Shorebirds. Right-handed pitcher Marlon De La Cruz is scheduled to start for Fredericksburg, while Delmarva9s starter has not been determined.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The Fredericksburg Nationals overcame a late Delmarva lead and forced extra innings before Cooper scored on Lampton9s balk. Dickerson, Hines and Jones provided the key offensive production, while Hughes kept the game tied with a scoreless extra-inning frame.
Fredericksburg has won four of its last five games and has taken the first two games of the series. De La Cruz is scheduled to start the next game as the Nationals pursue at least a series split.
Source: Original report
