'Claws Fall 8-5 in Wet and Wild Affair
Published on May 18, 2013 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The Lakewood BlueClaws (17-24) took an early lead, but could not hold on and ultimately fell, 8-5 to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (17-24) Saturday evening at FirstEnergy Park. The loss snaps a five-game winning streak the BlueClaws had against Greensboro.
The two teams headed to the ninth inning all tied up at 5-5, but it was the 'Hoppers that took advantage of some shaky pitching and plated three runs that they didn't relinquish.
Michael Vaughn hit a double to begin the ninth, and moved to third on a passed ball before the BlueClaws turned to Steven Inch to be the stopper. Inch hit the first batter he faced and walked the second before dealing to Yordy Cabrera.
With the bases loaded Inch hit the batter to plate the go-ahead run and allowed a single to right that plated two runs, off the bat of Viosergy Rosa, and put the 'Hoppers up by three.
Blake Logan came on in the ninth, limited the 'Claws to just a walk, and earned his seventh save of the season with a scorless ninth.
The BlueClaws jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first off of Daniel Oliver. The righty struggled in the opening frame and allowed five straight men to reach, two of which scored, with one out.
Larry Greene, Jr. plated the first run with a bases loaded walk and it was Mitch Walding that hit an opposite field single to plate the second.
Down by two, the 'Hoppers began the fourth inning with three straight hits off of BlueClaws' starter Nic Hanson. Viosergy Rosa picked up an RBI single and cut the deficit to 2-1. Two batters later Cameron Flynn tripled to left and tied the game.
Lakewood bounced back and scored a run in each of the next two innings. In the bottom of the fourth it was Alejandro Villalobos with an RBI single to right that scored Justin Dalles, and in the fifth, Tocci brought home Walding with a single to right and doubled the lead to 4-2.
Hanson took the mound in the sixth and retired the first man he faced, but gave up a double to Yordy Cabrera, who then moved to third on a wild pitch. Matt Juengel hit a single to center for the first run of the frame. Flynn followed with his second RBI triple of the game to tie it once again.
With the game tied at 4-4 in the seventh, the Grasshoppers picked up a run with two down to take the lead. Delvi Francisco walked Yeison Hernandez with one out, he then moved to second on a stolen base and remained there with two down.
Next up was New Jersey native, Anthony Gomez. The shortstop lined a single to right that plated the go-ahead run and gave the 'Hoppers the 5-5 lead that they would give back in the eighth.
With one out, Carlos Tocci hit a one-hopper back to the mound and Frankie Reed tossed it over the head of the first baseman and Tocci was on his way to third. The right fielder Keefer came up throwing and tried to get the runner, but threw it errantly and Tocci plated the tying run on the two-error play.
Hanson finished his fourth start after five and two-thirds innings. The righty allowed four eanred runs on seven hits; he did not walk a batter, he hit one and struck out a career-high nine. Felix Santos (1-1) took the loss in relief.
Deborah Heart and Lung Center Players of the Game: Viosergy Rosa (GBO): 2-4, 3RBI
Cameron Flynn (GBO): 3-4, 2RBI
The BlueClaws and Grasshoppers will do battle in the final game of the four game series, and seven game homestand Sunday afternoon at 1:05 pm from FirstEnergy Park. RHP Jonathan Musser (0-0, -.--) is set to make his first start and appearance of the season with the BlueClaws and will be up against RHP Mason Hope (2-2, 5.63) for Greensboro.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 18, 2013
- Charleston Holds on to Defeat Greenville - Charleston RiverDogs
- Drive Comeback Falls Just Short in 10-8 - Greenville Drive
- Legends, Power Split Doubleheader - Lexington Legends
- Intimidators' Pitchers Fan 14 Suns to Snap Skid - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Tourists Drop Suspended Game 6-4; Rebound with 5-2 Win - Asheville Tourists
- Power Split with Lexington Saturday - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Rain Postpones 'Dads Game - Hickory Crawdads
- 'Claws Fall 8-5 in Wet and Wild Affair - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Shorebirds Game Postponed on Saturday - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Game Notes: Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox) vs. Hagerstown Suns (Nationals) - May 18, 2013 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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.
