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SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

BlueClaws need 12 innings to take 5-3 win in Kannapolis

May 9, 2008 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Derrick Mitchell drove in the winning run in the top of the 12th inning to help the BlueClaws to a 5-3 win over the Intimidators on Friday night at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium.

After giving up a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth, the 'Claws needed bonus baseball to win their fourth game in the last five tries. Lakewood got three straight hits to open the 12th off of Danny Arbritton (0- 1) to push across the go-ahead run. Mike Durant followed Mitchell's lead, driving in another run with a two-out infield hit.

The BlueClaws had put up just five hits through the first 11 innings before posting four in the 12th.

Joe Rocchio (2-3) pitched the last three innings to take the victory.

It took Lakewood 12 innings to pull out the victory thanks to a two-run eighth-inning home run by Ronnie Gaines. Gaines was called up from Extended Spring Training prior to the game and the long ball was his first hit with the Intimidators this season. The blast off of BlueClaws reliever Chris Kissock tied the game up, 3-3

The BlueClaws (17-17) used a strong performance from starter Chance Chapman to take an early lead. Chapman gave up just one run on six hits in seven innings, but did not factor in the decision.

The only damage against Chapman came in the first inning when John Gallagher blasted his first home run of the season. But from that point forward, the Intimidators put just one runner in scoring position against the BlueClaws right-hander.

Freddy Galvis made the Intimidators (16-18) pay for their lack of offense firepower, driving in Travis Mattair from first base with a triple off of Wander Perez in the seventh inning to give the 'Claws a 2-1 lead. It was just the second triple of the season for Lakewood, both coming in the last two nights.

The BlueClaws evened the game early against Kannapolis starter Johnnie Lowe in the sixth. Derrick Mitchell reached on a bunt single before eventually coming to score on a passed ball from catcher Danny Jordan. The unearned run was the only blemish against Lowe, who took a tough-luck no-decision despite giving up three hits in six innings. He also struck out seven BlueClaws hitters.

The BlueClaws added another unearned run against Perez in the eighth after Dominic Brown advanced all the way to third on an error by Intimidators centerfielder Sergio Morales. Mike Durant drove Brown in with a sacrifice fly.

The BlueClaws returned to .500 on the season for the fourth time. They have never been able to move above an even mark, but will try for a winning record on Saturday when they send ace Drew Naylor (2-2, 2.25) to the mound against Kannapolis. The Intimidators will counter with right-hander Nathan Jones (1-2, 6.14) with first pitch coming at 7:05 p.m.

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