Claws Start Second Half with Walk-Off Win

June 20, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release

LAKEWOOD, NJ - Abrahan Gutierrez drove in Jonathan Guzman with a SAC fly in the 10th inning as the BlueClaws topped West Virginia 5-4 on Thursday in the first game of the second half.

Gutierrez drove in Jonathan Guzman, who began the inning on second base per MiLB rules and then stole third to set up the game-winning run.

Gilmael Troya (2-0) earned the win with three scoreless innings. He stranded the inherited-runner (who begins each extra-inning at second base) in the top of the inning after getting two double-play groundballs in the previous two frames. Sal Biasi (4-2) gave up the 10th inning run, which is unearned, and took the loss.

The BlueClaws (1-0, 30-41) have now won six straight games (including the final five of the first half). West Virginia (0-1, 37-34) dropped to 5-2 against the BlueClaws this year.

Luis Garcia gave the BlueClaws a 4-3 lead in the third inning with a grand slam. It was his third home run of the season and his fourth professional home run. The previous BlueClaws grand slam was hit by Cole Stobbe on May 30th.

Lakewood led into the eighth inning, but Julio Rodriguez tied the game on a solo home run off Jhordany Mezquita.

West Virginia scored three times in the second inning to take the lead. Their runs came on an RBI single from Charlie McConnell, an RBI double from Utah Jones, and an RBI single from Freehold native Ryan Ramiz.

All three runs were charged to Dominic Pipkin, who came out after 1.1 innings of work.

Power starter Ryne Inman gave up four runs in five innings.

Guzman went 2-4 and scored twice for the BlueClaws. He is hitting .326 since May 18th.

The teams continue their four-game series on Friday night at 7:05 pm. RHP Victor Santos (3-6) starts for the BlueClaws opposite RHP Devin Stewart (--).

South Atlantic League Stories from June 20, 2019

• 'Birds Storm Back, Stun 'Hoppers in Ten - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Tourists Explode for 26 Runs; Rout Fireflies - Asheville Tourists
• Eaton and Cole Propel Legends over Drive in Walk off Fashion - Lexington Legends
• Davis Dazzles as Intimidators Blank Augusta - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Claws Start Second Half with Walk-Off Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• RiverDogs Ride Cortijo's Six Strong to Victory in Second-Half Opener - Charleston RiverDogs
• Power Falls in Extras Despite Rodriguez's Late Homer - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Enright Homers in Loss to RiverDogs - Hickory Crawdads
• Rhinesmith's Late Homer Kickstarts Suns - Hagerstown Suns
• Hagerstown Wins Opener 3-1 over Rome - Rome Emperors
• Kannapolis Quiets GreenJackets Offense with 3-0 Win - Augusta GreenJackets
• Fireflies Game Notes: June 20 at Asheville (Game 67) - Columbia Fireflies
• Hagerstown Suns Game Notes - Hagerstown Suns
• Game Notes (June 20) - Charleston Dirty Birds
• RiverDogs Announce 'All Faiths Night' Event Benefitting the Chris Singleton Foundation - Charleston RiverDogs
• Playoff Rally Packs Available Now - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Braves top two draft picks added to Rome roster - Rome Emperors
• Fireflies Announce Details on Glowstock Festival - Columbia Fireflies

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