Big Inning Sparks Grasshoppers Past BlueClaws
Published on May 24, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, NJ - A six-run sixth inning keyed the Greensboro Grasshoppers past the Lakewood BlueClaws on Sunday night after the BlueClaws pulled back an early three run deficit and play was ended in the top of the ninth due to rain.
In a battle of the top two teams in the South Atlantic League, the Grasshoppers (23-19) got out early on starter Jason Knapp as Ben Lasater approached the plate with two runners on in the first inning. Lasater sent a ball screaming over the wall for a three-run home run to take that lead, just four batters into the game.
The BlueClaws (24-18), as they have done the entire season, made a come back and used a leadoff walk by Jeremy Hamilton in the fourth, a single by Travis Mattair and a single by Zach Collier to tie the game at three. Troy Hanzawa hit an RBI groundout and Korby Mintken singled home a run as well.
Knapp settled down and worked quickly through the game until the sixth where he ran into big trouble. Knapp allowed a leadoff single to Paul Gran, followed by an RBI double by Jeremy Synan and then two walks to load the bases with the run already in. Knapp exited for Justin De Fratus and the hits continued. De Fratus then allowed a bases-clearing double to Kyle Skipworth and then a two-run home run to Justin Bass to make it a six-run inning and a six-run lead. The six runs are the most in a single inning allowed by the BlueClaws this season and they allowed two home runs in a game for the second time this season.
The score remained 9-3 until the top of the ninth, when the skies opened up and rain ended play prior to the ninth inning.
The final line on Knapp (2-4) includes five innings pitched, five hits and seven runs. The last time Knapp pitched at home, against Kannapolis, he allowed six runs in three innings. De Fratus then came on to work two innings and allowed two extra base hits and two runs. Esmelvin Jiminez worked a clean eighth inning.
Graham Johnson started the game well but ran into trouble in the fourth inning, allowing three runs on five hits, his day would end there. Jarred Yecker (2-2) came on in a tie ballgame to work three clean innings and pick up the victory and Andy Loomis worked a clean eighth before the rain ended play.
The BlueClaws will look for the split in the four game series on Monday, Memorial Day, at 1:05 as Heitor Correa (0-1) will face lefty Brad Hand (2-4). The loss for the BlueClaws is their third in the last four games and drops their lead in the division to just a half a game.
Note: With the fireworks not being held on Sunday, the BlueClaws will allow fans to exchange their tickets to the Sunday game for any game until July 4th. The exchanges must be made at the BlueClaws ticket office and the tickets must be presented at the time of exchange.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 24, 2009
- Quick-Starting Suns Fade Late Again In 8-6 Loss - Hagerstown Suns
- Big Inning Sparks Grasshoppers Past BlueClaws - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Legends score 4 in first, beat Sand Gnats 5-2 - Lexington Legends
- Trio of Drive Pitchers Shutdown First Place Braves, 1-0 - Greenville Drive
- Big First Inning Does In Gnats - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Hogan's four RBIs lift Crawdads to 8-6 win - Hickory Crawdads
- Hot Rods Cruise Past RiverDogs, 3-2 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Greenville Slips Past Rome - Rome Emperors
- GreenJackets Score Four in Sixth, Win 5-2 - Augusta GreenJackets
- Captains Beat Power In 10 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Shorebirds shock Intimidators, 2-1 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Legends fall to RiverDogs 4-3 - Lexington Legends
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
