The Aberdeen IronBirds moved a game over the .500 mark for the first time this season Monday, beating the Vermont Lake Monsters, 5-2, in New York Penn League play at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.
Matthew Hammonds, a crafty lefty making his first start for the ‘Birds, tossed six shutout innings to earn the win.
His teammates gave him all the run support he needed with four runs over the first three innings.
The win gives the IronBirds (6-5) their second straight series win. Aberdeen took two-of-three from Staten Island on the road. Aberdeen and Vermont will close the series Tuesday night at Ripken Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Aberdeen jumped ahead in the first inning against Vermont starter Rafael Kelly. Adam Hall, who led the team with three hits, opened the inning with a double.
Robert Neustrom followed with a no-doubter into the ‘Birds bullpen for the 2-0 lead. It was Neustrom’s first professional home run.
Aberdeen added a single run in the second. Robbie Thorburn put down a bunt single to get the inning started. Two batters later, it was Hall’s RBI single to plate Thorburn.
Aberdeen also scored a run in the third. Willie Yahn tripled and Milton Ramos drove him in with a groundout.
Hammonds, meanwhile, was dealing. he allowed just two hits and a walk, while striking out eight.
Nick Gruener came on in relief and after two scoreless innings, ran into a little bit of trouble in the ninth. Four hits, including three doubles, plated two Vermont runs and forced Gruener from the mound.
Diogenes Almengo came on to get the final two outs and record his first save.
Aberdeen did tack on one more run in the eighth. Yahn reached on an error and later scored on a throwing error by the Vermont catcher.
Sunday win
Aberdeen opened the series with Vermont on Sunday, winning 7-2, at home.
Doran Turchin had a memorable game, going 3-for-4 with a double and his first professional home run. He drove in two Aberdeen runs.
Ramos added two hits, including a double and Yahn scored twice to lead the offense.
Jimmy Murphy pitched four shutout innings in relief for the win. Murphy allowed two hits and a walk, while striking out three.
Saturday loss
The ‘Birds were looking for a sweep in Staten Island on Saturday, but a 2-0 lead slipped away into an 4-2 loss.
Yahn had two hits and two runs scored. Alfredo Gonzalez and Guiyuan Xu each had two hits and an RBI.
Juan Echevarria took the loss in relief of starter Gray Fenter.
