BlueClaws Come Up Just Short, Fall 5-4 to Asheville

April 21, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release

LAKEWOOD, NJ - The Lakewood BlueClaws dropped a heartbreaker 5-4 to the Asheville Tourists on Thursday night in Asheville, NC. Lakewood fell behind 5-0 early as Asheville smacked 3 Home Runs off BlueClaws SP Garett Claypool, but they battled back to come within a run in the 9th inning. Lakewood 3B Stephen Batts was standing at 2nd base after an RBI double made it 5-4 with 2 outs in the 9th and 2B Jeremy Barnes came up to bat. Barnes hit a single right back up the middle, and Batts was waved home by 3B Coach/Manager Chris Truby, but Asheville CF Rafael Ortega's throw was right on the money and Batts was tagged out by C Byce Massanari 2 feet short of Home Plate for the final out of the game.

A day after the BlueClaws pounded out 21 hits and scored a franchise record 18 runs, they collected 10 hits and pushed across 4 runs in the loss breaking their 2 game win streak. SP Garett Claypool went just 4 innings, and allowed 5 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 7 strikeouts, and allowed 3 HR's. The 4 earned runs were the first of the year for Claypool who falls to 0-1 in 2011. Chase Johnson and Juan Sosa combined to pitch a scoreless final 4 innings of the ballgame for the BlueClaws to keep them in it. 1B Jim Murphy hit his team leading 3rd HR of the season and Jeremy Barnes chipped in 3 hits and an RBI for Lakewood. It was an exciting ballgame all the way until the final out.

Asheville SP Erik Stavert advances to 1-1 on the season as he went 5 1/3rd strong innings giving up just 3 hits and 2 runs while striking out 4. Tourists pitching combined to strike out 10 BlueClaws batters while allowing just 1 walk. RHP Juan Perez picked up his 3rd save of the season for Asheville.

Friday, the two teams will face off again at historic McKormick Field for the 4th game of the 5 game series. It will be the lefty Jesse Biddle on the mound for Lakewood (0-2, 5.59 ERA) and the righty Josh Slaats (01, 9.00) ERA for Ashevile. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.

South Atlantic League Stories from April 21, 2011

• Eighth-inning Rally Pushes Savannah Past Legends 6-5 - Lexington Legends
• 'Dads Sweep Doubleheader In Hagerstown - Hickory Crawdads
• Drive Come Up Short Again Versus RiverDogs, 5-3 - Greenville Drive
• Vaughn's Two-Run Double Caps 8th Inning Comeback - Savannah Sand Gnats
• R'Dogs Rack Up Strikeouts, Beat Drive 5-3 To Move Into 1st Place Tie - Charleston RiverDogs
• Shorebirds Hang On, Win 8-7 Over Jackets - Augusta GreenJackets
• Shorebirds Survive Late Rally And Win 8-7 - Delmarva Shorebirds
• BlueClaws Come Up Just Short, Fall 5-4 to Asheville - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Black drives in 3 runs to lead Intimidators - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Shred-It Night at McCormick Field Friday - Asheville Tourists
• Gnats Game Notes: Thursday, April 21 Vs. Lexington - Savannah Sand Gnats
• Fernandez to St. Lucie, Almonte to Savannah - Savannah Sand Gnats
• Ramon Flores Retires, Hilton Richardson Joins R-Braves - Rome Emperors
• Gnats Hometown Heroes Day Is Saturday, April 23 - Savannah Sand Gnats
• 'Dads Announce A's & B's Rewards Ticket Special - Hickory Crawdads
• Shorebirds Game Notes: at Augusta - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Hagerstown Defeated by Hickory in Series Opener - Hagerstown Suns

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