SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

BlueClaws Drop Second Half Opener

June 25, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, NJ - Despite being the first half champions, the Lakewood BlueClaws started the second half the same way they did the first, with a loss to the Delmarva Shorebirds. In the first game of the season, the Shorebirds won 2-1, however, in the first game of the second half, the Shorebirds won by a score of 4-2.

The Shorebirds (1-0) struck first in the ball game as they got to starter Jason Knapp in both the second and third innings. In the second, Knapp allowed a triple to Tyler Kolodny to right centerfield and he scored on the very next batter, a RBI-groundout by LJ Hoes to make it 1-0.

In the third, the Shorebirds got two runners on as Greg Miclat doubled with one out and Xavier Avery walked before Elvin Polanco hit an RBI-single to right field, scoring Miclat from second and sending Avery to third. However, on the play, Vladimir De Los Santos let the ball go under his glove, which allowed Avery to come in from third.

The BlueClaws (0-1) struck back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth as Travis d'Arnaud singled to lead off the inning, followed by a walk by Jim Murphy and another walk to Jeremy Hamilton loaded the bases with no out. Travis Mattair hit a sacrifice fly to right, making the score 3-1 and the BlueClaws got their second run on a botched double-play attempt, and catcher Luis Bernardo threw the ball into right field.

In the sixth, off of reliever Rob Roth, the Shorebirds got an insurance run as they parlayed a leadoff singled and stolen base by Joe Mahoney into a run as Hoes doubled to left.

Knapp (2-6), after four strong starts, only went five innings and allowed three runs on three hits and he struck out eight. Roth entered and allowed one run in two innings before Ryan Bergh pitched two shutout innings.

The Shorebirds starter Chris Salberg struggled to find the zone, walking two, hitting two and allowing five hits, however back-to-back innings were ended with double plays, so he only allowed one earned run. Salberg was relieved in the fourth by TR Keating (3-1), who allowed a run in 2.2 innings. Raul Rivero came on in the seventh and allowed just one hit and no runs. Closer Brandon Cooney worked around a lead-off singled in the ninth to keep the game at 4-2 and earn his 12th save of the season.

The Shorebirds have the most wins of any team this season against the BlueClaws as they are now 9-5 this season against them.

The BlueClaws and Shorebirds continue their five-game series, and the second half of the season, on Friday at 7:05 as Jesus Sanchez (3-4) will start for the BlueClaws. Sanchez will be opposed by Nathan Moreau (1-2).

Check out the Jersey Shore BlueClaws Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from June 25, 2009


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