Columbia’s Gabriel Llanes Picks Up Complete Game Win with Impressive Effort Versus Shorebirds

By Jerry Del Priore

Columbia Fireflies pitcher Gabriel Llanes didn’t own a victory going into Wednesday’s game against the Delmarva Shorebirds, though his ERA was a solid 3.03.

But the Fireflies’ offense gave Llanes (1-2) a shot in the arm as they scored seven runs to help give the Downey, California, native and Columbia (16-16) the 7-1 win at Perdue Stadium.

Llanes, a former Brooklyn Cyclone, surrendered his only run of the game in the bottom of the ninth, while fanning five and allowing just a walk in the contest.

The 21-year-old righty lowered his ERA to a stellar 2.33.  Lucas Humpal (1-3) took the loss for the Shorebirds (15-17).

First baseman Dash Winningham paced Colombia’s offensive burst with a 3-4 night with a double, walk and three RBI while designated hitter Tim Tebow went 2-5 with a double and two RBI.

Recent call-up and Bronx native Ricardo Cespedes (no relation to Yoenis) singled three times and drove in a run in his first tilt with the Fireflies.