BlueClaws let one slip away to Delmarva
Published on April 12, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
SALISBURY, MD - Pedro Florimon scored on a wild pitch from Joe Rocchio in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a wild game and hand Delmarva a 2-1 victory over Lakewood on Saturday night at Perdue Stadium.
Both teams battled to no avail for most of the game as Lakewood and Delmarva had plenty of baserunners, but could not find the one hit to take control.
The Shorebirds stranded nine runners in the game, including at least one in each of the first eight innings. The BlueClaws also had their fair share of opportunities, stranding eight, and were unable to capitalize on three Delmarva errors.
Delmarva finally broke through in the bottom of the ninth when Florimon, the ninth place hitter, doubled with one out off of Rocchio (0-1). He advanced to third on a groundout from Matt Angle before scoring on a wild pitch that got passed the BlueClaws catcher Joel Naughton.
Naughton argued that the hitter David Cash had tipped the pitch, but the umpires disagreed, handing the Shorebirds the walk-off vicory.
The BlueClaws very nearly took the lead in the top of the ninth. With one out Naughton doubled on a flyball down the leftfield line. D'Arby Myers singled to center two batters later, but Angle threw out Naughton at home plate to end the inning.
Mike Durant put the BlueClaws (3-6) on the board in the top of the fourth inning with a deep solo home run to leftfield, his third long ball of the year.
The Shorebirds (4-4) answered right back in the bottom of the frame with a single run to tie the game at 1-1. Joe Mahoney led off the inning with a walk and was replaced at first by Tyler Henson after a fielder's choice. Wally Crancer singled Henson to second, before Kieron Pope drove him in on a double to centerfield. Chance Chapman struck out Ryan Adams and Pedro Florimon to end the threat.
Chapman was strong in his first start of the season after three rocky appearances out of the bullpen to open the season. The right-hander pitched four innings and gave up just one earned run, while striking out three and walking two.
Walter Tejeda threw 1 1/3 innings of scoreless ball and Yen-Feng Ling went 2 2/3 while giving up just one hit to give the BlueClaws offense a chance to break the tie.
But the 'Claws could get nothing going against relievers Sean Gleason and Joe Esposito (1-0) over the final four innings.
Shorebirds starter Luis Noel did not factor in the decision after firing five innings, giving up six hits, but just one run.
The two teams will meet in the series finale on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Right-hander Drew Naylor (0-2, 3.60) will take on Shorebirds southpaw Tony Butler (0- 1, 6.00).
South Atlantic League Stories from April 12, 2008
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- Suns open municipal stadium, take two fom Captains - Hagerstown Suns
- Drive shut Power down twice - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Drive shut Power down twice - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Unlucky No. 7, Gnats fall 9-2 - Savannah Sand Gnats
- 'Jackets win Second Straight over Lexington - Augusta GreenJackets
- BlueClaws let one slip away to Delmarva - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Legends fall 5-3 to Augusta GreenJackets - Lexington Legends
- Intimidators Fall 14-1 To Hickory - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Hoppers Leave 13 Stranded in 7-3 Loss to Asheville - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Tourists Muscle Win - Asheville Tourists
- Red Hot R-Dogs Win in 11th, 4-3 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Greensboro Game Notes - Greensboro Grasshoppers
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