SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

BlueClaws rally for 5-4 walk-off win over Kannapolis

Published on April 29, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, N.J. - Michael Taylor's RBI base hit in the bottom of the ninth capped a dramatic late-inning comeback, as the BlueClaws stormed from behind to claim a 5-4 victory over Kannapolis on Tuesday night at FirstEnergy Park.

Lakewood trailed 4-0 heading to the bottom of the eighth inning, but picked up one run in the eighth, before tagging a pair of relievers for four runs in the ninth.

Taylor's base hit up the middle off of Santo Luis (1-1) scored Derrick Mitchell from second base to cap the final-inning rally. The hit provided some redemption for Taylor, who had been 0-for-4 up to that point will all four of his previous at-bats coming with runners in scoring position.

The BlueClaws (12-13) needed just two hits in the game-winning frame thanks to three walks, one intentional, and a hit batter. Wander Perez started the inning by hitting Travis Mattair and walking Freddy Galvis and pinch-hitter Karl Bolt before being replaced by Luis.

D'Arby Myers brought one run in on a sacrifice fly, before Derrick Mitchell drove in two runs to tie the game with a double down the leftfield line. Luis intentionally walked Brown to set up Taylor's heroics.

Drew Naylor appeared destined to take his third loss of the season, despite a solid performance on the mound. The Australian right-hander allowed three runs, two earned, in seven innings of work, while striking out six.

The damage seemed to be done against Naylor in the top of the third, when the Intimidators got three straight hits to open the frame, scoring twice.

But Naylor rebounded allowing just one unearned run the rest of the way. Freddy Galvis' throwing error allowed a run to score in the sixth inning and gave the Intimidators a 3-0 lead.

Johnnie Lowe did his best to give his team a chance to win in the start for Kannapolis. The right-hander pitched six scoreless innings while giving up just four hits and certainly deserved a better fate than a no- decision.

Prior to the eighth inning rally, the BlueClaws had been held scoreless for 19 straight innings, dating back to the seventh inning of Saturday's game in Lexington. The 'Claws were shutout on Sunday afternoon, 1-0, by the Legends.

Joe Rocchio (1-2) took the win for Lakewood after pitching a scoreless top of the ninth inning.

The BlueClaws and Intimidators (11-13) will meet again on Wednesday night at FirstEnergy Park. Tyson Brummett (2-0) will take the mound for the BlueClaws, while Nathan Jones (0-1) gets the start for the Intimidators. The game, which will start at 6:35, is the 500th regular season home game in BlueClaws history.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 29, 2008


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