SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Pointer Plates a Pair, 'Claws Down 'Birds 4-3

Published on May 15, 2013 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, NJ - The Lakewood BlueClaws (15-23) trailed early, but came back from a multiple run deficit for the first time this season and downed the Delmarva Shorebirds (17-20) 4-3, Wednesday afternoon at FirstEnergy Park. The win marks the fifth in seven games for Lakewood and puts them in a tie for sixth place with the Kannapolis Intimidators.

With the game tied at 2-2 in the fifth, Carlos Tocci hitting a leadoff double off of Parker Bridwell to get things going for Lakewood. Brian Pointer followed with a double of his own and gave the 'Claws their first lead of the game.

Lakewood added some insurance runs in the eighth. Dennis Torres walked both Roman Quinn and Carlos Tocci with two down before Pointer struck again with an RBI single that gave Lakewood the 4-2 lead.

Delmarva did their best to come back in the top of the ninth against Lakewood's closer Steven Inch, but could only pull within one. Inch allowed a leadoff single, then induced a fly out before the next three reached, and a run scored on singles. Inch rebounded and Willie Carmona fielded a sharp groundball, threw home for the second out and Justin Dalles returned the favor to complete the 3-2-3 game ending double play.

For the second time in as many nights, the Shorebirds took a multiple-run lead in the early innings. Nik Balog led off the second with a double and Lucan Herbst followed with a single to put runners at first and third with no outs.

Lakewood's starter, Shane Watson, induced a ground ball back to himself off the bat of Steel Russell and immediately looked to third where Balog came off the bag and headed home. Watson chased the runner back and applied the tag with his bare hand, but could not hold onto the ball, and all of the runners were safe on the error.

The next batter, Chase Weems, grounded into a double play that plated Balog and gave the 'Birds a 1-0 lead. Adrian Marin picked up an RBI single, scored Herbst, and upped the lead to 2-0.

The BlueClaws responded with two runs in the home half of the inning to tie it. Art Charles and Willie Carmona began the inning with back-to-back singles. With one out, Justin Dalles singled and loaded the bases with one out.

Delmarva's Bridwell threw a wild pitch that Charles scored on, and gave the BlueClaws their first run. Zach Taylor followed with an RBI groundout and the game was tied after two innings.

Watson (2-3) took the mound in his eighth start of the season and tossed the best he had in four starts. The righty pitched five innings and allowed the two earned runs on five hits; he walked one and struck out three.

Jordan Guth was the first out of the bullpen and pitched three scoreless before the closer Inch came on for the ninth and recorded his fourth save of the season.

Deborah Heart and Lung Center Player of the Game: Brian Pointer (LWD): 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2BB

The Lakewood BlueClaws welcome in the Greensboro Grasshoppers to FirstEnergy Park for the first of a four game series tomorrow night at 6:35 pm. The pitching matchup features the same two pitchers from the May 11th matchup between the two teams. RHP Miguel Nunez (4-0, 2.76) will go for Lakewood in search of his fifth straight win and RHP Ramon del Orbe (0-3, 7.28) gets the nod for the 'Hoppers.

Check out the Jersey Shore BlueClaws Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 15, 2013


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