GONZALEZ BAFFLES GREENSBORO, SHOREBIRDS EVEN SERIES
Mercedes and Stewart Both Go Deep for Delmarva
Courtesy of Brendan Gulick
GREENSBORO, NC – Whenever the Shorebirds have found themselves in need of a big pitching performance, Brian Gonzalez seems to always be next on the docket. True to form again on Tuesday night, Gonzalez backed Delmarva to a 5-1 victory over Greensboro at NewBridge Bank Park on Tuesday night.
Gonzalez (5-1, 1.95) went six innings and struck out a career-high ten batters, scattering just one run on two hits. He completely overwhelmed the Grasshoppers (20-25), who entered the game with an eight game winning streak.
When Gonzalez left the game, Ryan Meisinger turned in another stellar performance. He leads all South Atlantic League pitchers in Strikeouts per Nine Innings Pitched and fanned five Tuesday night over three frames. Meisinger earned his third save of the season.
Delmarva (26-18) got the offense rolling with a four run third. Yermin Mercedes hit his second home run in as many nights, lifting a towering three run blast to the party deck in left field. Mercedes leads the team in most major offensive categories, including home runs with four. Gerrion Grim followed later in the inning with a sacrifice fly.
After Gonzalez surrendered his only run in the bottom of the third, DJ Stewart smashed a solo shot to left-center field. It was Stewart’s first home run off a left-handed pitcher this season and Delmarva took the lead, 5-1.
Greensboro had few opportunities the rest of the way. Gonzalez fanned the final 10 batter in a row that he face and Meisinger only had a runner reach scoring position once.
Delmarva clinched a winning road trip, going 4-2 over its last seven games. They have a chance to win the series in Greensboro on Wednesday afternoon before returning home for a week. Cristian Alvarado (2-3, 4.04) takes the mound for a 12:30 pm first pitch as the league leader in strikeouts. Brendan Gulick ….