Shorebirds Hold Off RidgeYaks to Win Third Straight
Christian Rodriguez Leads Delmarva with First Quality Start
SALEM, VA: The Delmarva Shorebirds (13-18) claimed their third consecutive win over the Salem RidgeYaks (13-18) on Friday with a 3-2 victory.
The Shorebirds jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning, with a two-run double by Junior Aybar and an RBI single by Braylon Whitaker, taking the early advantage.
Salem responded in the third on a two-out, RBI single by Andrews Opata, making it a 3-1 game.
Christian Rodriguez delivered the Shorebirds' first quality start of the season, throwing a career-high six innings, allowing one run on five hits and no walks.
It remained a 3-1 game entering the ninth after Luis Beltrán threw two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth.
In the final frame, the RidgeYaks made it a one-run game after an error scored D'Angelo Ortiz. However, Todd Kniebbe retired the next two batters to give the Shorebirds a 3-2 victory, their third win in a row.
The win was awarded to Christian Rodriguez (2-2), the first Delmarva starting pitcher to earn a victory this season, while Todd Kniebbe (2) recorded his second save. The loss went to Salem starter Barrett Morgan (1-1).
The Shorebirds go for a fourth straight win and a series victory on Saturday, with Denton Biller taking the mound against Cole Tolbert for the RidgeYaks. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM.