The Fredericksburg Nationals defeated the Delmarva Shorebirds 5-4 in extra innings in Salisbury, Md., after Manny Cabrera delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in the 10th inning. Cabrera’s hit scored automatic runner Hunter Hines and put the Nationals ahead.
The victory improved the Fredericksburg Nationals to 16-3 against the Delmarva Shorebirds this season. Fredericksburg’s bullpen did not allow a run after the fourth inning, helping the Nationals overcome an early 4-0 deficit.
Delmarva Shorebirds Build an Early Lead
Delmarva struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Ty Head opened the inning with a triple against Leodarlyn Colon and scored on Eric Booth Jr.’s sacrifice fly.
Alexander Meckley entered after Colon worked the opening two innings, but the Shorebirds added to their advantage. Booth drove in another run with a groundout before Stiven Martinez hit a two-run home run, making the score 4-0.
Fredericksburg Nationals Begin the Comeback
The Fredericksburg Nationals responded in the fourth inning. After walks put runners on base, Kevin Made hit a two-run double for his first RBIs of his current rehab stint. Avery Ortiz followed with an RBI double, cutting Delmarva’s lead to 4-3.
Cody Howard and Zach Konstantinovsky combined to shut down the Shorebirds over the final four innings of regulation. Delmarva recorded only one hit from the sixth inning on.
The Nationals put runners in scoring position in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings but did not bring the tying run home in those frames. Dashyll Tejeda tied the game in the top of the ninth inning with a home run to left-center field.
Manny Cabrera Delivers in Extra Innings
Fredericksburg took the lead in the 10th inning when Cabrera entered as a pinch hitter and drove in Hines with an RBI single. The hit gave the Nationals a 5-4 advantage.
Adam Boucher protected the lead in the bottom half of the inning after Delmarva loaded the bases to start the frame. Boucher struck out Eric Booth Jr. and Stiven Martinez before forcing a flyout from Jimmy Anderson to complete the victory.
Next Game
The next game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. Juan Reyes is scheduled to face Delmarva Shorebirds pitcher Harrison Kreiling.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The Fredericksburg Nationals erased a four-run deficit by combining timely hitting with scoreless bullpen work. Kevin Made and Avery Ortiz started the comeback, Dashyll Tejeda supplied the tying home run, and Manny Cabrera delivered the decisive hit in the 10th inning.
The Nationals’ 16-3 record against the Delmarva Shorebirds this season reflects their success in the matchup. The pitching staff also kept Fredericksburg within reach after the fourth inning, allowing the late offensive rally to decide the game.
Source: Original report
