Claws prevail in 18-inning marathon, 8-7
Published on July 25, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, NJ - Despite an epic two-out, five-run ninth inning comeback the Delmarva Shorebirds came away empty-handed Saturday night, dropping an 18-inning marathon 8-7 to the Lakewood BlueClaws.
Jonathan Villar brought home the go-ahead run in the top half the 18th against Shorebirds (14-14) position player-turned reliever Levi Carolus, drawing a four pitch bases loaded walk.
Carolus (0-1) fought his way through two innings, but his control issues finally caught up to him in the 18th. He allowed just two hits, but also walked three and hit a batter.
With two outs in the bottom of the 18th Claws (18-10) reliever Joe Esposito (1-0) gave up a triple to Garabez Rosa, but struck out TJ Baxter to end the five hour, six minute affair.
Trailing 7-2 in the ninth, Delmarva's remarkable comeback started with a two-out Kieron Pope single against Chad Poe. Steve Bumbry and Justin Dalles walked to load the bases, and Omar Casamayor singled in two to cut the deficit to 7-4.
Mikey Planeta followed with a single, and Rosa doubled in two more to make it a one-run game. Planeta then scored on a wild pitch by Justin Beal to tie the game.
It would take nine more innings for the winning run to cross home, making this the longest game of the season for the BlueClaws. The previous long was 15 innings, as Lakewood beat Savannah on Mother's Day 12-11 in 15 innings.
Relievers Mike Bolsenbroek, Luke Wertz, Kyle Carr, and Joe Esposito limited the Shorebirds to four hits in their combined nine innings. Lakewood managed just three hits through nine extra innings against Delmarva's bullpen.
Lost in the long night was a fantastic outing by BlueClaws starter Jonathan Pettibone. The righty let up just three hits and two unearned runs through seven. He retired 13 in a row from the end of the second to the end of the sixth.
The BlueClaws took a 2-0 lead in the first after Jonathan Singleton belted his 12th home run of the season with Jonathan Villar on second. Delmarva came back with two runs of their own in the second before Lakewood pulled away.
The Claws took back the lead in the third. Villar walked with one out and came home on a Stephen Batts double.
Lakewood's fourth run came after Jeremy Barnes walked, and took second on a throwing error by catcher Justin Dalles. Barnes then advanced to third on a ground out, and came in on a Kyle Lafrenz sac-fly to push the lead to 4-2.
The Claws seemingly locked up a win scoring three more in the ninth. Villar scored on a wild pitch and Michael Dabbs tripled in two to make it a 7-2 game.
Sunday at 5:05 pm RHP Josh Zeid (5-4, 3.25) takes on Birds RHP Matt Hobgood (3-7, 4.68).
South Atlantic League Stories from July 25, 2010
- Greenville Conquers Rome, 8-2 - Greenville Drive
- Crawdads Win Battle of the Bullpens, 6-4 - Augusta GreenJackets
- Shorebirds Level Series with 3-1 Win Over Lakewood - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Shorebirds Win Rain-Delayed Bullpen Battle, 3-1 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- 'Dads Even Series Against GreenJackets with 6-4 Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Intimidators Face Minimum in 2-0 Win - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- RiverDogs Mow Grasshoppers, 10-3 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Fuller's Arm, Butler's Bat Lead Sand Gnats to 3-0 Win - Lexington Legends
- Greenville Drives Over Braves - Rome Emperors
- Suns Rained out on Sunday - Hagerstown Suns
- Shorebirds Game Notes - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Gnats Game Notes: Sunday, July 25 at Lexington - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Claws prevail in 18-inning marathon, 8-7 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Claws prevail in 18-inning marathon, 8-7 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Shorebirds Fall In 18-inning Marathon, 8-7 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Legends rally to win in 10; Manager Linares to take personal leave - Lexington Legends
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