BlueClaws Beat West Virginia 4-3 for Sixth Straight Win
Published on May 26, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
CHARLESTON, W.V. - The Lakewood BlueClaws used three early runs and another strong bullpen performance to hang on for a 4-3 victory over West Virginia on Monday afternoon at Appalachian Power Park.
The BlueClaws were forced to rely on their relief corps once again, after Drew Naylor was only able to pitch 2/3 of an inning. After facing just three batters in the bottom of the first, the game went into a one hour and 25 minute rain delay.
Naylor was unable to return after the long delay and will likely make his next start earlier than originally scheduled.
Because Naylor was forced to depart so early, the BlueClaws used their bullpen for 8 1/3 innings. Sergio Escalona, Zach Sterner (2-0), Joe Rocchio and Jared Simon combined to allow just two runs in that span.
Simon took his seventh save of the season, despite allowing a run in the bottom of the ninth.
The BlueClaws managed an early lead thanks to a pair of runs in the top of the first against Power starter Evan Anundsen. Derrick Mitchell homered for the third straight game, before Michael Taylor drove in another run two batters later.
Taylor, who came into the game leading the South Atlantic League in hitting, went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks. Three BlueClaws hitters had multiple hits in the game, including Freddy Galvis, who went 4-for-4 and scored a pair of runs.
D'Arby Myers helped to provide some insurance in the eighth with an RBI triple that extended the BlueClaws lead to two runs.
The Power got a single run against Naylor before the rain delay on a solo home run by Jonathan Lucroy. The only other West Virginia run came against Escalona in the fourth to cut the Blueclaws lead to 3-2.
West Virginia (19-31) had plenty of chances down the stretch, stranding the tying run in scoring position in each the sixth, seventh and eighth inning. But each time the BlueClaws (27-24) were able to battle through the jam.
Lakewood has now won a season-best six games in a row and eight of their last nine. This is also the first time this season that they have been three games above .500.
The 'Claws will go for the series sweep on Tuesday morning at 10:35 a.m. Chris Kissock (1-2) will make his third start of the season against Chris Cody (1-0), who will take the hill for West Virginia.
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