BlueClaws Drop Heartbreaker, 7-6 to Suns on Thursday

June 14, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release

LAKEWOOD, NJ - Hagerstown scored the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth on a SAC fly from Yasel Antuna as the Suns held off the BlueClaws 7-6 on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Park.

The BlueClaws are one-game behind Kannapolis with three games to play after the Intimidators lost a double-header to Delmarva. However, since Lakewood cannot break a tie, Kannapolis' magic number is two. Addison Russ (5-2) allowed just his fifth earned run of the season in taking the loss. Carlos Pena threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second save.

The BlueClaws tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning on a SAC fly by Nick Maton off Phil Morse. Jhailyn Ortiz hit a single to right field on which Kameron Esthay threw Cole Stobbeout at home with the would-be go-ahead run.

Morse (2-0) earned the win in relief for Hagerstown, who salvaged the last game of the series after the BlueClaws had won the first three.

Trailing 5-0, the BlueClaws stormed back with five runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game. Jake Scheiner got it started with a two-run single. Daniel Brito added an RBI single. Then, with two outs, an error by Suns second baseman Cole Freeman allowed two to score and tie the game.

Hagerstown starter Kyle Johnston (0-2) was charged with four runs, three earned.

Lakewood starter Kyle Young gave up five runs in five innings including a four-run Suns fifth that featured a two-run double by Yasel Antuna for a 5-0 lead.

Daniel Brito had two hits and Jake Scheiner two RBIs for the BlueClaws.

Lakewood opens a series with Hickory on Friday night. RHP Spencer Howard (3-5) starts for Lakewood opposite Hickory RHP Tyler Phillips (3-5).

South Atlantic League Stories from June 14, 2018

• Drive Defeat Braves in 11-Inning, Walkoff Win - Greenville Drive
• 'Birds Turn Brooms Around in K-Town - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Castro's Fourth-Inning Blast Guides Power to Series Sweep - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Antuna's Big Night Lifts Suns to 7-6 Win - Hagerstown Suns
• Hickory Scores in 6 Different Innings - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• Legends Split Series with Columbia Fireflies - Lexington Legends
• Augusta Dealt Loss in Finale - Augusta GreenJackets
• RiverDogs Take Bookends of Sereis with Asheville Behind Yajure's Sparkling Home Debut - Charleston RiverDogs
• Six-Run Fourth Inning Key to Columbia Victory - Columbia Fireflies
• BlueClaws Drop Heartbreaker, 7-6 to Suns on Thursday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Tourists Nearly No-Hit, Drop Finale in Charleston - Asheville Tourists
• Fireflies Roster Move and Game Notes: June 14 at Lexington (Game 64) - Columbia Fireflies
• West Virginia Power Promotional Notes (June 15-17) - Charleston Dirty Birds
• West Virginia Power: Game Notes (June 14) - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Shorebirds to Change Team Name - Delmarva Shorebirds
• RiverDogs Celebrate Father's Day with Riley Park Club Special Offer - Charleston RiverDogs
• Drive and Braves Split Wednesday's Doubleheader - Greenville Drive

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