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GREENSBORO -- The losses keep mounting for the Grasshoppers.

Their 9-2 loss Thursday night to the Delmarva Shorebirds was their seventh in a row, tying their longest losing streak of the season.

This time, the offense and defense were equally lacking before a season-high crowd of 8,813 at NewBridge Bank Park. Four Hoppers pitchers gave up a total of 16 hits, and Greensboro was held to four hits.

All of the home team's scoring came on a two-run homer by Bryan Petersen in the first inning. It was Petersen's 15th homer of the season, tied for second-most in the South Atlantic League behind teammate Mike Stanton, who has 20.

Luis Noel (8-3) shut down the Hoppers after that. He went seven innings and struck out five, though he walked four.

"He just located all his pitches," Petersen said. "He got ahead of hitters. His change-up was working real well for him. He pitched real effective."

The Grasshoppers didn't get a hit in the final six innings. During one stretch, Noel retired eight straight batters, including four consecutive strikeouts.

Hoppers pitchers weren't nearly as effective. Starter Stuart Alexander lasted only 22/3 innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs. His replacement, Chris Bodishbaugh, didn't fare any better. He allowed four runs on five hits in three innings.

Delmarva finished its scoring against Matt Mallory, the victim of six hits and two runs in 11/3 innings.

"The pitchers have to set a good tempo," said Hoppers manager Edwin Rodriguez. "Somebody has to step up. They have to keep us in a game; that's the bottom line."

The Shorebirds opened their scoring in the second inning, when Kieron Pope hit a solo home run. In the third, a two-out, two-run double by Tyler Henson put Delmarva ahead 3-2.

The Shorebirds added a run in the fifth on a single by Joe Mahoney and three in the sixth on consecutive RBI singles by Matt Angle and Matt Tucker and a wild pitch. Tucker added an exclamation point with a two-run single in the eighth.

Although the Hoppers have lost seven straight, Petersen said it shouldn't have an effect on the way they play the game. They have three more home games against Delmarva this weekend.

"Through a 140-game season, you know you're going to hit a skid like that," Petersen said. "We need to come to the ballpark tomorrow like we're 0-0. If we get enough guys on board, we can turn this thing around. Tomorrow, in my mind, we're not on a losing streak."