BlueClaws Battle; Beat Shorebirds
Published on June 6, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
SALISBURY, MD - In a crazy, extra-innings affair that saw each team leading into their opponents final at- bats, it's the Lakewood BlueClaws that prevail 6-5 against the Delmarva Shorebirds in game two of their doubleheader. This was a crucial game with potential playoff implications.
The Shorebirds (28-23) got out to an early two-run lead in the first inning after the BlueClaws failed to score with the bases loaded in no outs in the first. The Shorebirds had no one on base and two outs when Elvin Polanco hit a solo home run and the combination of a Joe Mahoney single, stolen base and LJ Hoes single plated another run.
The newest BlueClaws (32-22) player made an impact in the third as Steve Susdorf doubled home Anthony Gose, who singled and Jim Murphy, who was hit by a pitch. The game was now tied at two, but there was more scoring to be had.
The Shorebirds then took the lead in the fifth and added an important run of insurance in the sixth off of Justin De Fratus to take a 4-2 lead as play headed into the top of the seventh and last inning.
Travis d'Arnaud led the inning off reaching on an error and Jim Murphy singled to put the tying runs on base. Another Susdorf RBI brought the BlueClaws to within just one before Travis Mattair bunted to move both runners into scoring position. Sebastian Valle struck out before a wild pitch scored a run and moved Murphy to third. With the game tied, Collier singled in Murphy to take a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the last.
In the bottom half, the BlueClaws called on BJ Rosenberg for the save, however an error allowed Xavier Avery to reach base before, with two outs, Tyler Kolodny doubled home the game tying run and the game went into extras.
After a scoreless eighth, Jeremy Hamilton walked to lead off the ninth inning before Mattair grounded into what looked like a double-play ball. Two errors later, one on a throw to second and another on a throw to third in an attempt to get Hamilton taking the extra base allowed him to score and take the 6-5 lead the BlueClaws would hold onto in the bottom of the inning.
Jesus Sanchez started and picked up a no decision as he went five innings and allowed three runs on four hits. He was relieved by De Fratus, who allowed a run in an inning and Rosenberg who allowed an unearned run in an inning. Ryan Bergh (3-2) came on in the eighth and closed the door in the ninth to pick up the win.
Nathan Moreau threw a lot of pitches and only lasted 2.1 innings, allowing three hits and two runs. He was relieved by Brent Allar and Joe Esposito. Esposito allowed three unearned runs in two innings. Travis Keating (0-1) worked the final two innings in extras and allowed the unearned run in the loss.
The win prevents the BlueClaws from losing their third straight and being swept. They have ye to lose three consecutive games this season. The win also keeps the BlueClaws 2.5 games ahead of the Shorebirds in the South Atlantic League Northern Division.
The BlueClaws will enjoy their first scheduled day off in 24 days on Sunday before coming home for a four- game series with the Hagerstown Suns. Each game of the series will begin at 7:05. Game one will feature Jon Velasquez (7-2), and he will be opposed by lefty Jack McGeary (0-4).
South Atlantic League Stories from June 6, 2009
- Power splits doubleheader - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Jackets Erase Early Deficit, Win 8-6 - Augusta GreenJackets
- Intimidators and Power split wacky doubleheader - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Crawdads power past Grasshoppers, 5-2 - Hickory Crawdads
- Hits Come in Bunches in Drive's 9-1 Win Over Legends - Greenville Drive
- BlueClaws Battle; Beat Shorebirds - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Drive opens early lead, defeats Legends 9-1 - Lexington Legends
- Suns grab long-awaited 3-1 win after falling, 5-1 in suspended game - Hagerstown Suns
- RiverDogs Tomahawk Braves, 7-6, in Battle for First - Charleston RiverDogs
- Moore Dazzles, Velasquez Delivers For Hot Rods - Asheville Tourists
- Lefty's best start aided by Hot Rods first grand slam in 2009 - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Shorebirds Hold on for Victory - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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