BlueClaws drop series finale 3-2 against Lake County
Published on June 22, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The BlueClaws outplayed the Captains on Sunday afternoon at FirstEnergy Park for large portions of their series finale, but in the end Lake County capitalized on a series of Lakewood mistakes to earn a 3-2 victory.
The BlueClaws made three errors and gave up a pair of unearned runs, including the game-winner after a Freddy Galvis throwing mistake. Lakewood also hit into three double plays in the first four innings to sabotage their early offensive efforts.
The BlueClaws (2-2, 40-34) had plenty of chances against North Division All Star starter Ryan Miller, racking up six hits in five innings against the southpaw, but managed just two runs against him. Miller induced all three BlueClaws double play balls, including two off the bat of Galvis.
The second double play ball from Galvis came with no outs and the bases full. The BlueClaws had put three straight on base to start the inning, but could not score. The inability to come up with clutch hits in early spots came back to haunt the BlueClaws, as the Captains battled back to overcome a 2-1 deficit and eventually claim the win.
Mike Durant, who rejoined the BlueClaws on Thursday after nearly a month on the disabled list, hit his first home run of the second half to give the BlueClaws a 1-0 lead. Durant crushed a Miller pitch over the leftfield fence for his 11th home run of the season. He is now halfway to the BlueClaws team record of 22 home runs, set by Juan Richardson in 2001.
Derrick Mitchell, who had made a pair of errors to allow the Captains first run to score, picked up and RBI-single in the third to give Lakewood a 2-1 lead. But the BlueClaws would not score again and got just two hits the rest of the game against Miller, Paulo Espino (1-0) and Vinnie Pestano.
Chance Chapman was strong in the start for the 'Claws, but did not factor in the decision. The 24-year old right-hander allowed two runs, one earned, in five innings on just three hits. He struck out three and also walked three.
Chapman walked the first man in the sixth inning before being replaced by Melendez. The southpaw did allow one inherited runner to score, but did not surrender another run in his inning of work. Chris Kissock (1-3) gave up just one unearned run, but that proved to be the game-winner, in three innings of work.
The BlueClaws ended up out-hitting the Captains, 7-5, though it came in a losing effort.
The BlueClaws next head on the road to face the Hagerstown Suns for the first of a three game series. Darren Byrd (0-1) will take the mound for the BlueClaws for the 7:05 p.m. first pitch. The BlueClaws are 0-4 in games started by Byrd this season.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 22, 2008
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