SUNS LOSE HEARTBREAKER, SERIES TO SHOREBIRDS

HAGERSTOWN, MD – The Hagerstown Suns gave away the getaway game to the Delmarva Shorebirds 6-4.

The Suns (6-8) committed two critical errors in the eighth and ninth inning giving up three runs, all of them unearned.
Delmarva (8-6) scored three runs in the top of the third. Suns starter Cole Kimball, did not have his best stuff, walking five in the game including two in a row to lead off the third inning.

The two walks came back to haunt the Suns as both were driven in on a two RBI double by Shorebirds right fielder Joe Nowicki. The third run of the inning was scored on a RBI single by Tyler Henson. The Suns got a run back in the fourth inning as Bill Rhinehart scored from second on Michael Burgess’ first triple of the season.
The Suns took the lead in the fifth inning.

Francisco Plascencia hit his first homerun of the season over the right center field wall. After Shorebirds starter Luis Noel, loaded the bases on back to back walks and a single from Burgess, second baseman Jake Smolinski placed a hit in left field to score Rhinehart and tie the ball game. The Suns next batter Tim Pahuta brought in Aaron Seuss for the lead on a ground out on the left side of the infield.
The Suns defense fell apart in the eighth and ninth.

After a lead-off single by Henson, Delmarva catcher Wally Crancer laid down a sacrifice bunt Atahualpa Severino fielded cleanly but Jake Smolinski mishandled the throw. The ball ended up down the right field line allowing Henson to score and Crancer to advance to third. Delmarva shortstop Pedro Florimon Jr. singled to right to drive in the go ahead run.

The Shorebirds tacked on one more in the ninth thanks to another Suns error.

Severino (0-1) ended up with the loss for Hagerstown, even though he did not allow an earned run, while Brian Parker (4-0) earned the win for Delmarva by working two and two-thirds scoreless baseball in relief. In the bottom of the ninth Mick Mattalinano shut the door for the Shorebirds to pick up his fourth save.

The Suns now hit the road to take on the Lake County Captains at Classic Park in East Lake, OH. Game time is 7:05.
The Suns will travel to East Lake, Ohio to take on the Lake County Captains at Classic Park for a three game series starting at 7:05 P.M. on April 18th.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class “A” affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Ticket packages and sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Los Angeles based Mandalay Baseball Properties.