SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

BlueClaws fall 1-0, seven-game win streak stopped

August 17, 2004 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


The Asheville Tourists made a second inning run stand up in a rain shortened 1-0 six inning win over Lakewood Tuesday night at McCormick Field in North Carolina. The BlueClaws dropped to 29-21 in the second half, 60-57 overall and lost a team record seven-game win streak, while the home team improved to 27-24 in the second half. The BlueClaws, who had mauled opposing pitching for 67 runs on 92 hits in the win streak, were blanked on six hits by Alberto Arias.

The Tourists manufactured the only run of the game against Lakewood starter and loser Scott Mathieson. Christian Colonel led off with a single, moved to second base on a walk to Jordan Czarniecki, advanced to third on a base hit by Chris Iannetta and scored on a sacrifice fly by Eddie Montague. Mathieson then retired Trey George on a pop up and struck out Jose Vasquez to avoid any further damage in the frame. The BlueClaws right-hander did not allow a runner to advance past second base over the final four frames.

The BlueClaws threatened against Arias in the fifth after a leadoff double by Erik Winegarden and a throwing error by shortstop Jonathan Herrera that allowed Chris Klemm to reach safely with one out. However, the scoring opportunity fizzled out when Josh Mader and Michael Bourn struck out. Carlos Rodriguez opened the sixth with a base hit, advanced to second on a Jake Blalock single and moved to third on a fly ball out to deep centerfield by Bryan Hansen. The visitors could not push across the tying run as Randy Ruiz grounded out to Arias, moving Blalock to second, before Winegarden bounced out to first on the next pitch to end the inning.

Mathieson allowed six hits, walked three and struck out five in his first and only outing against the Tourists. The right-hander suffered the hard luck loss and dropped to 6-8 on the season. Arias fanned six and did not walk a batter to pick up his seventh win against eight loses.

Bourn extended his hitting streak to eight games with a third inning single, while Blalock has hit safely in seven straight and 14 out of 15. Hansen lost an eight-game hitting streak after going hitless in three trips.

The BlueClaws conclude their four-game series in Ashville on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. Kevin Shepard gets the starting assignment for Lakewood against the Tourists right-hander Larry Robles. Coverage of Wednesday's game can be heard on 1160 WOBM-AM and www.sportsjuice.com starting at 6:45 p.m.

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