SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Batts comes up big twice in 12-inning 9-7 Claws win

Published on July 16, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


KANNAPOLIS, NC - With the bases loaded, one out, and Lakewood trailing 7-5 in the top of the ninth, Stephen Batts delivered a two-run double to tie the game.

Sebastian Valle however was gunned down trying to score from first on the play, keeping the score tied at seven and eventually forcing extra innings. It was then that Batts finished what he started, tripling in the go-ahead run in the twelfth to lead the Claws (15-6) to a 9-7 win Friday night over Kannapolis (7-15).

Jonathan Singleton walked to start the twelfth, and with one out Batts delivered. He then score on a successful squeeze play courtesy of Jeremy Barnes to push the lead to two.

Justin Beal (2-0) worked two scoreless innings, including slamming the door shut in the bottom of the twelfth for the win.

Batts finished the night 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs, and Jiwan James extended his BlueClaws record hit streak to 23 games, coming just a home run shy of the cycle in a 5-for-6 performance.

Kannapolis trailed 5-4 going into the eighth, but finally figured out BlueClaws reliever Joe Esposito, making his first appearance with the team since signing on Thursday.

Jose Vargas started the inning with a single, and Juan Silverio hit just his second home run of the season to give Kannapolis a 6-5 edge. Tyler Saladino added a sac-fly RBI to extend the lead to two.

Down to their last three outs, the BlueClaws rallied. With one out Alan Schoenberger doubled, and Leandro Castro drew a walk. After a Singleton strikeout, Valle drew another walk to load the bases for Batts, who promptly tied the game with a two-run double.

The BlueClaws took the lead just two batters into the game. James led off his fourth game in a row with a hit, doubling off Kannapolis starter Cameron Bayne. Schoenberger the singled to put the Claws up 1-0.

The Intimidators came back with three in the second off Trevor May. Ian Gac hit his league-leading 16th home run to lead things off and tie the game up. Juan Silverio chipped in an RBI single, and another run scored on an error by Schoenberger.

May settled down after that, giving up just the three runs (two earned) in five innings. He struck out nine while walking just three.

Singleton's team-leading eleventh homer, a blast out to center with a runner on and two outs in third, evened the game at 3-3. Schoenberger added a two-run shot, his second of the season, in the fifth to give Lakewood a 5-3 lead.

An RBI single in the sixth by Saladino brought Kannapolis within one, 5-4.

Saturday at 7:05 pm RHP Colby Shreve (5-4, 3.33) faces RHP Justin Collup (5-7, 5.11).

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 16, 2010


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