SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

BlueClaws start series with 3-1 loss to Greensboro

Published on May 20, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The BlueClaws did not pick up a hit through the first 6 2/3 innings on Tuesday night and their late-game rally fell short as Lakewood dropped a 3-1 decision to Greensboro at FirstEnergy Park.

Greensboro starter Kyle Kaminska did not allow a hit in his six innings on the mound, as the 'Claws were held hitless until Matt Rizzotti singled up the middle with two outs in the seventh against Eric Basurto.

Kiminska (1-1) had not made it through the five innings in either of his previous two appearances for the Grasshoppers. On Tuesday though, he was practically untouchable.

The BlueClaws did have their share of baserunners against Kaminska however, largely thanks to some shaky Greensboro defense. The 'Hoppers made four errors while Kaminska was on the mound. The right- hander also issued a walk.

Chance Chapman hung with Kaminska for the first five innings, but could not match his Greensboro counterpart in the sixth. The 'Claws right-hander faced the minimum 15 hitters through five frames without allowing a hit, but faltered in the sixth.

Greensboro pushed a pair of runs across against Chapman (1-4) in the top of the sixth. The Grasshoppers broke up the Chapman no-hitter with a base hit to start the inning by Torre Langley and followed it a walk. Ozzie Martinez then tripled in a pair of runs to break the scoreless deadlock and give the Grasshoppers a 2-0 lead.

The BlueClaws offense did break through with a single run in the top of the eighth inning against reliever Don Czyz, when Derrick Mitchell doubled to start the inning. Dennis Winn singled, before Dominic Brown picked up his 21st RBI of the season with a fielders choice.

But Czyz escaped further damage by getting Michael Taylor to fly out and Herman Demmink on a groundout.

Garrett Parcell earned his 12th save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Demmink entered the game in place of Mike Durant in the bottom of the second. Durant was forced to exit the ballgame after twisting his left ankle at second base on a Rizzotti foul ball. The BlueClaws designated hitter immediately fell to the ground and had to be helped off the field.

The BlueClaws (21-24) have now lost all five games against Greensboro (25-20) this season. The Grasshoppers have owned Lakewood in the past two seasons, racking up a 15-2 mark against the BlueClaws since the start of the 2007 season.

The 'Claws will look to break the trend on Wednesday morning at 11:05, when the teams meet for game two of the four game series. Lakewood ace Drew Naylor (3-2) will make the start, while Alejandro Santabia will take the mound for the first time for the Grasshoppers.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 20, 2008


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