BlueClaws stumble in finale with Delmarva
Published on August 27, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The BlueClaws saw their playoff chances take another hit on Wednesday night at FirstEnergy Park, as Nate Nery led Delmarva to a 3-0 victory over Lakewood.
The loss pushed the BlueClaws four games behind first-place West Virginia with five games remaining in the regular season. The Power were off on Wednesday and will face Kannapolis at home for their final five games of the season.
Nery was dominant in his start for the Shorebirds, throwing seven shutout innings. Nery (6-3) gave up just four hits and did not walk a batter. He struck out two. The Delmarva southpaw has not given up a run in his last 15 innings of work, spanning three starts.
Andrew Schindling pitched the final two frames in scoreless fashion to earn the save and close out the shutout. It was the ninth time this season that the BlueClaws were held without a run in a game and the second in the last four games.
Matt Rizzotti was the lone offensive threat off of Nery and Schindling. The BlueClaws first baseman had three of the BlueClaws five hits, going 3-for-4 with a double. Tim Kennelly and Mike Durant were the only other BlueClaws with a hit.
Chance Chapman (7-6) was on the losing end of the shutout, despite another strong performance. Chapman, who missed three weeks at the start of August, pitched five innings and allowed just two runs. The right-hander struck out five and walked just one.
All the damage against Chapman came with two outs in the second when he allowed three straight hits to plate a pair of runs. Paco Figeroa put the 'Birds on the board with a RBI double and Brendan Monaghan added to the lead with a base hit.
Chris Kissock pitched the final four innings, giving up just one run in long relief. Delmarva made it 3-0 with a run in the seventh when Robbie Widlansky tripled home Anthony Martinez. That was the lone blemish against Kissock, who only gave up one hit.
The BlueClaws (39-26, 77-58) next welcome in Hagerstown for the final two games of the regular season at FirstEnergy Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with Mike Stutes (4-1) making his last start of the season for Lakewood. Right-hander Osvaldo Rodriguez (1-1) will take the hill for the Suns.
Following the game there will be fireworks, presented by Toyota and Scion World of Lakewood. Tickets are still available by visiting BlueClaws.com, calling (732) 901-7000 or stopping by the FirstEnergy Park ticket office.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 27, 2008
- Captains Sweep Suns - Lake County Captains
- RiverDogs Bite Sand Gnats, 9-3, In Home Season Finale - Charleston RiverDogs
- Tourists dropped by Greeneville - Asheville Tourists
- Suns swept by Captains - Hagerstown Suns
- Bumgarner Dominates Crawdads to clinch GreenJackets Playoff Spot - Hickory Crawdads
- Ciriaco Drives in Five Runs in 'Jackets Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- BlueClaws stumble in finale with Delmarva - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Shorebirds blank 'Claws - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Moviel, Cleto Promoted to St. Lucie - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Jason Heyward Most Outstanding Major League Prospect - Rome Emperors
- Bumgarner Named SAL Pitcher of the Year - Augusta GreenJackets
- Just Three Home Games Left For The BlueClaws - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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