BlueClaws Streak Snapped in Extras, 7-6
Published on May 14, 2013 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, NJ - The Delmarva Shorebirds (17-19) rode a pair of homeruns from Tucker Nathans, and knocked home the go-ahead run in the top of the 12th to defeat the Lakewood BlueClaws (14-23) 7-6, Tuesday night at FirstEnergy Park. The loss snapped the season-high four-game winning streak for the BlueClaws.
In the final frame, it was Wynston Sawyer that drew a leadoff walk and set the table for Delmarva to score the winning run. The catcher landed at second after a sacrifice bunt, and moved to third on a fly out to deep center.
Adrian Marin brought him home with a single to left to put the Shorebirds in front for good, as the BlueClaws went in order in the bottom half of the frame, against Lex Rutledge (1-1) who earned his first win of the year. Delvi Francisco gave up the run, took the loss and dropped to 1-2 on the season.
For the second time in as many nights, the BlueClaws looked to the ninth for runs in order to extend or win the game. Down 6-5 in the final frame, it was Carlos Tocci singled with one down and became the first runner of the inning for the BlueClaws.
With two down, Zach Taylor singled Tocci over to third, and Roman Quinn drove him home with an RBI bloop single to center and tied the game at 6-6.
Miguel Chalas walked Angelo Mora, but with a three ball, two strike count on Brian Pointer, he induced a ground out to second that ended the ninth in 6-6 fashion.
With the game tied at 5-5 in the sixth, it was Nathans that struck for the second time in the game. The Delmarva second baseman took the first pitch of the inning from Jeb Stefan and hit in just over the wall in right for the go-ahead run.
The action started early for the Shorebirds as they put a three-spot up in first. Lino Martinez walked the leadoff man to begin his second start of the season, before Nathans blasted his first home run of the night and gave Delmarva the early 2-0 lead.
Joel Hutter followed with a triple and scored on the RBI groundout by Nik Balog for the third run of the inning off Martinez. The 'Birds picked up another pair on a sac fly and solo shot by Balog in the second.
The BlueClaws returned the favor and scored a run in the bottom of the first and began chipping away at the three-run deficit. Roman Quinn tripled to center in the leadoff sport and scored on Chace Numata's RBI groundout to short.
Trailing 5-1 in the fourth, it was Lakewood again bouncing back off of Delmarva's starter, Mark Blackmar. With the bases loaded and one out, it was Brian Pointer connecting for a bases-clearing double to left-center that pulled the 'Claws within one. Willie Carmona tied the game up with an RBI single that scored Pointer and pulled Lakewood even.
Martinez did not factor into the decision, but gave up five runs over an inning and two-thirds in his second start. The lefty allowed the runs on four hits; he walked three and struck out four.
Felix Santos took over for the starter and followed with three and one third scoreless frames. Stefan allowed the one run over two innings and Zach Cooper followed with two scoreless on the mound.
Deborah Heart and Lung Center Player of the Game: Tucker Nathans (DEL): 2-6, 2HR, 3RBI
The Lakewood BlueClaws and Delmarva Shorebirds wrap up their three-game series with an 11:05 am day-game Wednesday at FirstEnergy Park. RHP Shane Watson (1-3, 6.19) will look to get the 'Claws back to their winning ways. He will be matched up against RHP Parker Bridwell (2-3, 5.46) for the Shorebirds. The homestand will continue Thursday with the first of a four game series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 14, 2013
- Nathans, Marin Lead 7-6 Win in 12 Innings - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Drive's Ninth Inning Blunder Leads to Tourists 9-8 Win - Asheville Tourists
- BlueClaws Streak Snapped in Extras, 7-6 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Wild Finish Dooms Drive in 9-8 Loss to Tourists - Greenville Drive
- Legends Top Kannapolis 6-1 - Lexington Legends
- C.J. KO's Power in 'Dads 2-1 Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Power Bats Cold in 2-1 Loss - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Crawdads Weekly - Hickory Crawdads
- Game Notes: Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox) at Lexington Legends (Royals) - May 14, 2013 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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