BlueClaws strand 11 in 3-1 loss to Greenville
Published on July 14, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The BlueClaws ran out of steam on Monday night at FirstEnergy Park, dropping the series finale with Grenville 3-1 despite outhitting the Drive by five hits.
Greenville needed just three hits to down the 'Claws and their starter Walter Tejeda. The Drive took the lead without a base hit in the first inning, setting the tone for what was to come. Leadoff man and Futures Game MVP Che-Hsuan Lin reached base on a Derrick Mitchell throwing error, before stealing second and scoring on a wild pitch.
It was the only unearned run allowed by the BlueClaws, but one of three runs allowed by Tejeda (4-5). The left-hander only gave up two hits, but he also walked three and departed with the BlueClaws trailing 3-1.
Lakewood had plenty of chances to take the lead against Greenville starter Felix Doubront. Lakewood stranded 11 runners in the game and outhit the Drive 8-3. But Doubront (9-6) held the BlueClaws to one run in five innings to take the win.
The BlueClaws lone run came on one swing of the bat. Karl Bolt cut the Drive lead to 2-1 with a solo home run off of Doubront to lead off the fourth inning. The long ball, which was the fifth of the season for Bolt, carried all the way over the left-centerfield picnic area.
T.J. Warren, who had the game-winning double on Sunday night, kept his hot hitting going, finishing 1-for- 2 with two walks.
Sergio Escalona pitched well in relief, giving up just one hit in 2 1/3 innings. He also struck out three in that span. He was forced into a tough spot, entering in the top of the seventh with two outs after Joe Rocchio had loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batsman.
Felix Ventura struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth to close out the Greenville win and earn his tenth save of the season.
Despite the loss, the BlueClaws (15-10, 53-42) finished the homestand 5-3 by taking a series from Augusta and splitting a four-game set with the Drive (10-15, 50-45).
Lakewood will take Tuesday off before opening up a four game series with the Hickory Crawdads, the Pirates Class A affiliate, starting on Wednesday. Chance Chapman (6-5) will start game one for the 'Claws, while Bradley Clapp (3-6) will start for the Crawdads.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 14, 2008
- RiverDogs Electrocute Power, 9-8, in 11 Innings - Charleston RiverDogs
- Drive earn road victory to begin week - Greenville Drive
- Power fall in extras - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Tourists Take Three of Four from the Captains - Lake County Captains
- BlueClaws strand 11 in 3-1 loss to Greenville - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Suns walk-off with win - Hagerstown Suns
- Rome Takes Two from Kannapolis - Rome Emperors
- Intimidators swept in double header - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Jackets End Road Trip with Win over Shorebirds - Augusta GreenJackets
- Neal Bashes 'Birds, 5-2 in Series Finale - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Catfish split doubleheader - Columbus Catfish
- Gnats Ride Brooms to Sweep in Extras - Savannah Sand Gnats
- BlueClaws Blood Drive Approaching - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- RiverDogs' Montero Singles in Ninth Inning to Lead World to 3-0 Win over US - Charleston RiverDogs
- Freeman Earns Player of the Week Honors - Rome Emperors
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