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Jersey Shore BlueClaws

BlueClaws 'Pen Holds Off Power

May 20, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


CHARLESTON, WV - The Lakewood BlueClaws got another strong performance from their bullpen on Wednesday as they sealed the team's fourth victory in a row overall and third in a row over the West Virginia Power 4-3.

For the second game in a row, the BlueClaws (23-15) and the Power (13-26) played another close game but this time, it was the Power who scored first. They did so on a leadoff walk to Robbie Grossman who moved up to third as a ball was lined back off the head of BlueClaws starter Heitor Correa for a base hit. Correa was OK, but the Power would then take a 1-0 lead on a Chase d'Arnaud sacrifice fly.

The game would remain 1-0 until the fifth as the BlueClaws struck back with some offense. Troy Hanzawa nearly homered to lead off the inning, but it went as a double. After a sacrifice bunt by D'Arby Myers he scored on a fielder's choice. With Harold Garcia on first, Anthony Gose doubled, scoring Garcia and giving the BlueClaws a 2-1 lead. Gose stole third, his 25th stolen base of the season, and then scored on a Jim Murphy single to make it a 3-1 lead.

The Power were not done scoring however as they added single runs in the fifth and sixth to tie the game at three before the BlueClaws batted in the seventh. In the seventh, Travis d'Arnaud singled, and then Jim Murphy singled and moved up on a bunt. Murphy advanced on a hit by pitch before Zach Collier hit an RBI groundout to take a 4-3 lead.

Justin De Fratus and Ryan Bergh continued the great work by the BlueClaws pen this season and they shut down the Power to secure victory.

Correa struggled a little in his fourth start with the BlueClaws as he was lifted after 5.1 innings and allowing three runs on five hits. De Fratus (2-0) came into the game and continued his dominance with 1.2 innings of hitless baseball before Bergh came on and worked the final two innings for a six out save, his sixth of the season. The win goes to De Fratus his second of the season.

Rudy Owens was dominant until the fifth inning as he ran into a lot of trouble and was lifted after 4.2. He struck out nine and allowed two earned and six hits. Wilson Ortiz (0-1) relieved Owens and allowed the game-winning run in the seventh as he takes the loss.

With the win, the BlueClaws are now eight games over .500 for the first time this season, and they gain a game over second place and hold a 2.5 game advantage.

The BlueClaws will go for the four game sweep on Thursday at 7:05 in the final game of their eight game homestand, which they hold a 5-2 record on. Jesus Sanchez (1-2) will be on the mound for the BlueClaws and he will be opposed by Kyle McPherson (2-1).

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 20, 2009


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