SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

BlueClaws strand 12 in 7-5 loss to Charleston

Published on August 15, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The BlueClaws squandered a great chance to start their series with the Charleston RiverDogs on a positive note, instead falling 7-5 to the New York Yankees affiliate on Friday night at FirstEnergy Park.

Lakewood took an early 4-0 lead with four runs in the home half of the first inning, but went down scoreless in the next seven innings, giving Charleston plenty of time to make up the deficit. Lakewood had their chances as the game went along, as the BlueClaws amassed 13 hits in the game, but they stranded 12 men on base.

Andrew Romine broke a 4-4 tie in the seventh inning against Chris Kissock, driving a double to left- centerfield to score two and give Charleston a lead they would not relinquish. It was the second straight rocky outing for Kissock (3-5), who had been one of the BlueClaws most steady relievers, gave up three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings to take the loss. The right- hander has given up seven earned runs in his last 2 1/3 innings after a 23 2/3 innings scoreless streak entering this homestand.

The BlueClaws beat up Charleston starter Lance Pendleton in the first, putting the first five runs on base to start the game. Tim Kennelly had the biggest hit of the early rally with a bases-loaded double that drove in two and put the first runs on the board. Travis D'Arnaud also picked up an RBI in the first at-bat of his BlueClaws career to make it a four-run Lakewood lead.

Charleston made it a game off of Julian Sampson in the third, scoring three runs, including a pair on a long home run off the bat of Jesus Montero. Montero was a offensive force for the RiverDogs, going 2-for-3 with two walks.

The 'Dogs tied the game just one inning later, as Abraham Almonte shot a single through the right side to plate Austin Krum. Sampson did not factor in the decision, giving Lakewood six innings in his start. He allowed four runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out four.

Reymond Cruz gave the BlueClaws 1 2/3 innings of solid relief. He entered with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth and allowed just one inherited runner to score on a flare to leftfield, before pitching out of trouble and cruising through the ninth.

The BlueClaws (35-19, 73-51) made a push in the ninth against closer Jonathan Ortiz, picking up a run on back-to-back hits from D'Arnaud and Mike Durant. But Ortiz struck out Travis Mattair and Jay Miller to end the game and pick up his 30th save of the season. The BlueClaws fall to a game behind West Virginia in the second half standings, as the Power took a 5-1 victory over Greenville.

Lakewood, which has still won seven of its last nine games, will try to even the series with Charleston (25- 27, 70-52) on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at FirstEnergy Park. Southpaw Walter Tejeda (4-6) will take the hill for the BlueClaws, while Dellin Betances (7-4) is scheduled to start for the RiverDogs.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 15, 2008


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