SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

BlueClaws take series from Suns

Published on June 24, 2005 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


Lakewood, NJ - The Lakewood BlueClaws (3-1) wrapped up their series with the Hagerstown Suns (1-3), Single-A affiliate of the New York Mets, on Friday night at FirstEnergy Park with an 8-2 win. With 7,857 on hand to watch the game, the largest crowd this year at FirstEnergy Park, the BlueClaws got a solid pitching performance from their starter Derek Griffth and a strong defense behind him helped secure a 3-1 series win over the Suns.

Griffith (W, 4-5) pitched a shutout into the eighth inning before Hagerstown plated their only two runs to chase the BlueClaws starter. With Lakewood up 8-0 Wilson Batista led off the inning with a solo-homer for the Suns first run of the game. Dante Brinkley connected for a one-out RBI double for the second run of the inning. Matt Sweeny pitched the final 1 2/3 innings allowing no hits or walks.

The BlueClaws were set down in order only once in the game and it didn't happen till the eighth inning. Lakewood was led by Doug Gredvig who went 3-for-4 with and RBI and had his streak of consecutive times reaching base snapped at nine, a streak that stretched three games. Brad Harman chipped in with two RBI's finishing 2-for-4.

Lakewood took an early lead plating two runs in the first inning with two outs off the Suns starter Tim Worthington. Back-to-back walks to Jason Jaramillo and Sam Orr set up Gredvig and Chris Klemm. Gredvig connected for an RBI base hit plating Jaramillo and Klemm followed up with an RBI base hit scoring Orr.

The BlueClaws added another run in the second on an RBI base hit from Harman scoring Sean Gamble who led off the inning with a walk. Lakewood pushed the lead to 5-0 in the fifth plating two runs on the fielding error of the Suns catcher Jesus Flores. With runners at second and third and one out Ryan Frith hit a grounder to third baseman Grant Psomas. Psomas came home with the throw and it skipped off Flores's glove and went to the screen allowing Orr and Gredvig to score.

Lakewood scored their final three runs in the seventh inning to increase the lead to 8-0. After Orr walked to lead off the inning Gredvig lined a ball out to left-center field that was misplayed by the center fielder allowing Orr to go to third and Gredvig to second. Chris Klemm connected for a sacrifice fly plating Orr for the first run of the inning. Frith followed up with a walk and with two outs in the inning Jesus Merchan connected for an RBI base hit to score Gredvig. The scoring was capped off with an RBI base hit Brad Harman plating Frith for the final run of the inning.

The BlueClaws continue their home stand on Saturday night with Lakewood welcoming to town the Delmarva Shorebirds, Single-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Right-hander Maximo De La Cruz (3-7, 3.86) will go to the mound for Lakewood. First pitch on Saturday night is at 7:05 p.m. with on-air time at 6:50 p.m. on 1310 WADB and www.blueclaws.com.

This season, the Lakewood BlueClaws are celebrating their fifth anniversary of providing great fun in the Jersey sun. Among the great promotions, fireworks every Friday night home game and kids eat free Monday Nights courtesy of Shop Rite. In addition, the BlueClaws will host games against the New York Mets affiliate.

Check out the Jersey Shore BlueClaws Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 24, 2005


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