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SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Comeback Comes up Short in 11-6 Loss

April 7, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


GREENVILLE, S.C. -- A comeback attempt by the Lakewood BlueClaws (1-2) fell just short Saturday night in an 11-6 loss to the Greenville Drive (2-1) at Fluor Field.

After trailing 7-0 through five innings, the BlueClaws were able to cut the lead to 7-6 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, but pairs of runs in the seventh and eighth by the Drive proved to be too much for the 'Claws offense to overcome.

Making early offense difficult to come by was the fact that Greenville had a pair of Red Sox pitchers making rehab appearances in the ballgame. Both Rich Hill and Andrew Miller pitched in the major leagues in 2011, and they pitched a scoreless first and second inning respectively to begin the game. Hill, a seven-year MLB veteran, struck out all three batters he faced on backdoor curveballs in the first inning, while Miller, the 8th overall selection in the 2006 draft, danced around three baserunners in the second to avoid allowing a run.

Through the first five innings Greenville's pitching was overpowering BlueClaws hitters- recording 12 of a possible 15 outs via a strikeout. Despite their inability to connect regularly on pitches from Hill, Miller and projected starter Henry Owens, the BlueClaws were 7-for-9 off the three pitchers on batted balls in play. That speckled success did not translate into a consistent run-generating attack and Greenville was able to build an insurmountable early lead.

Manager Mickey Morandini's lineup featured three new starters for the BlueClaws; Carlos Perdomo at second base, Drew Hillman at designated hitter and John Hill at catcher. Perdomo, who was a defensive replacement in the ninth inning of Friday night's game, was 1-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored. Hillman went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and an RBI, while Hill was 0-for-4 but had an RBI groundout in the sixth to score Kelly Dugan.

Greenville and Lakewood square-off one final time Sunday afternoon as part of the opening four-game series at Fluor Field. Ethan Stewart (0-0, 0.00 ERA) faces Greenville's Matt Barnes (0-0, 0.00 ERA) in what will be Stewart's debut in a BlueClaws uniform. He made two starts with Williamsport above the Gulf Coast League. First pitch for Saturday's game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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