SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

BlueClaws walk-off with 6-5 comeback win

Published on July 9, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The BlueClaws reeled off a second straight come-from-behind win on Wednesday afternoon, as Joel Naughton drove in the winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning in a 6-5 walk-off win over Augusta at FirstEnergy Park.

Lakewood became the first team this season to defeat the first-place GreenJackets when trailing after eight innings, scoring three in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra frames, before Naughton won it in the tenth. Augusta had been 47-0 prior to Tuesday when leading after eight.

Travis Mattair led off the tenth with a double to rightfield off of Waldis Joaquin (1-2). Naughton delivered two batters later with a single up the middle to end the game and ensure the BlueClaws of at least a series split.

The BlueClaws forced extra innings with three runs in the ninth off of Joaquin and closer Andrew DeLaGarza. T.J. Warren's base hit plated a pair of runs to tie the game after a pair of errors on Augusta third baseman Andrew Davis made the rally possible. Davis mishandled groundballs from Derrick Mitchell and Mike Durant, and Warren made the 'Jackets pay with his third hit of the game.

Durant came around to third on the Warren single, but was thrown out at home plate trying to score on an errant return throw from the catcher Elio Sarmiento back to Joaquin.

The comeback was necessary because for the first seven innings, the BlueClaws pitching staff could not find the strikezone. Lakewood starter Walter Tejeda set a BlueClaws franchise record by walking seven hitters in five innings. Reliever Chris Kissock walked two and Joe Rocchio (4-6) walked one and hit a batter. The 10 walks fell just one shy of the team record of 11 set in 2006.

Tejeda was the one let off the hook by the BlueClaws offensive surge. The lefty gave up four earned runs, all in the third and departed with the BlueClaws trailing 4- 2.

Rocchio took the win, despite allowing an earned run in two innings of work. He has now earned ten decisions in 24 relief appearances.

The BlueClaws got on the board in the second inning against South Atlantic League ERA leader Daryl Maday. Maday, who had given up just two runs in his last 33 innings, surrendered a pair thanks to RBI hits from Mattair and Mitchell. Maday, though, cruised through the next four innings, allowing just three base runners over that span.

Lakewood (12-8, 50-40) moved to a season-best 10 games over .500 and will go for the series win on Thursday. Former tenth overall pick Madison Bumgarner (8-2) will make the start for the GreenJackets (14-6, 55-34) at 7:05 p. m. at FirstEnergy Park.

Check out the Jersey Shore BlueClaws Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from July 9, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central