SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

'Dads falter, 8-5

Published on July 21, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


Hickory reached notorious levels in its 8-5 loss Monday to Delmarva, dropping its sixth straight home game and seventh overall. Down 3-0 from the first inning and trailing 7-0 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Crawdads would mount a late comeback but in falling short earned some dubious distinctions.

The seventh straight loss becomes Hickory's second-longest losing streak of the season, behind only eight consecutive defeats June 4-12. The sixth straight home defeat is also the longest home losing skid for the 'Dads since June 5-10 of 2005. On top of it all, Hickory starter Bradley Clapp took the loss -- his first since June 15 -- to tie for the most career losses in franchise history.

It all started in the first inning, when Delmarva scored three runs on a sacrifice fly and Joe Mahoney two-run single. After plating a run in the fifth, Mahoney helped the Shorebirds strike again with his two-run single fueling a three-run seventh inning. His RBI single in the ninth would also prove to add insurance to what the Crawdads helped make a tenuous lead.

Showing some spunk in the bottom of the seventh, Hickory (11-20, 41-60) cut Delmarva's (17-14, 55-45) lead to 7-5 with five two-out runs.

Erik Huber hit a two-run home run to start the scoring, with Danny Bomback later adding a bases loaded walk and Greg Picart tacking on a two-run single.

Picart finished as the only Crawdad with two hits, while seven others had a hit each. He also joined Huber as the only 'Dads with two RBIs.

Still, the standout seventh inning proved not enough in defeat.

Clapp finished 4.2 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits, walking two and striking out three. He dropped to 3-7 on the year and tied former Crawdads Robert Theodile (1993-95) and Kyle Pearson (2005-07) for most career losses with 17.

Delmarva reliever Brian Parker improved to 6-3 with the win, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings. Shorebirds closer Mick Mattaliano notched his team-high 24th save with a scoreless ninth frame.

The 'Dads and 'Birds meet for game three of the series Tuesday night at 7. Hickory sends RHP Duke Welker (2-7, 4.62 ERA) to the mound to face Delmarva LHP Zach Britton (9-5, 2,90 ERA).

It's All-U-Can-Eat Tuesdays at L.P. Frans Stadium. Call (828) 322-3000 or visit www.hickorycrawdads.com for tickets and more information.

GAME NOTES: Game time was 3:12. Attendance was 1,045. ...The loss for Clapp snapped a string of six straight starts with either a win or no-decision. Clapp had started the year 0-6. ...Wanell Macia is the only current member of the Crawdads who played for the 2005 team that lost six straight at home. At the time, he was an outfielder for the club. ...The home run by Erik Huber in the seventh was the first at home for the Crawdads since Andrew Walker's on July 2, a span of eight games. ...Hickory is 13-44 when opponents score before them and 0-48 when trailing going into the ninth inning. ...The 0-48 mark is the worst in the South Atlantic League and the only other teams without wins when trailing after eight innings are Charleston, Columbus, Kannapolis and West Virginia.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 21, 2008


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