Carmona, 'Claws Double up Hoppers 6-3
Published on May 17, 2013 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, NJ - The Lakewood BlueClaws (17-23) continued their red-hot pace and took home the eighth win in 10 games with a 6-3 victory over the Greensboro Grasshoppers (16-24) Friday night at FirstEnergy Park. The win marks the fifth in a row against Greensboro, and fourth of the homestand for the BlueClaws.
The BlueClaws trailed 2-1 entering the fourth, but the middle of their order came through in a big way. Art Charles drew the first of his three walks to begin the inning, and Willie Carmona unleashed his first home run with a bomb to right that put the 'Claws up 3-2, and in front for good.
In the sixth, the BlueClaws collected three more runs and padded their lead to 6-2. Mitch Walding led off the frame with an infield single and Carlos Tocci backed him up with a double that hit off the second base bag.
Walding scored the first run of the inning on an error by the shortstop Anthony Gomez on a fielder's choice by Roman Quinn.
Catcher Chace Numata cleared the bases and capped off the inning with a two-run single that put the 'Claws in front by four at 6-2. With Numata's single in the 6th, he extended his on-base streak to 20 games.
For the fourth game in a row, the Lakewood squad fell behind their opponent. Greensboro used a hit-by-pitch, and an RBI double off the bat of Matt Juengel to plate the first run in the first inning off of lefty Yoel Mecias. That would be all the southpaw allowed until the fourth.
The BlueClaws jumped right off the mat with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. After Brian Pointer was hit by a pitch, he stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by the Greensboro catcher.
Art Charles followed and tied the game with a two out, RBI double. The hit extended Charles' streak of reaching base to 18 games in a row.
Mecias (2-2) allowed an unearned run to score in the fourth, and completed his outing after the fifth. He gave up two runs, one earned, on four hits; he walked three and struck out five. Jeb Stefan pitched two scoreless and Zach Cooper, allowed a run in the ninth, but regrouped to finish the game on the mound.
Austin Brice (2-5) started the game for Greensboro, and for the second time in a row he struggled against the Lakewood BlueClaws. The righty left after four innings in which he allowed three runs, all earned, on four hits; he walked three and struck out six. Lefty Chipper Smith gave up the three runs in the sixth that clinched it for Lakewood.
Deborah Heart and Lung Center Player of the Game: Willie Carmona (LWD): 1-4, HR, 2RBI
The Lakewood BlueClaws and Greensboro Grasshoppers will resume their four game series with game three, Saturday afternoon at FirstEnergy Park. First pitch is slated for 4:05 and will be thrown by Lakewood's RHP Nick Hanson (1-0, 2.94); he will be opposed by Greensboro's RHP Daniel Oliver (0-1, 5.00).
South Atlantic League Stories from May 17, 2013
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