SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

Double Trouble for 'Dads in 6-3 Loss

Published on June 27, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads entered the 8th inning Saturday night in a favorable position with a one-run lead and a shutdown bullpen to finish out the game, but the normally dominant Hickory pen was not able to hold on to the lead as the visiting Lakewood BlueClaws scored four runs over the final two frames to hand the 'Dads a 6-3 loss at L.P. Frans Stadium.

The turning point in the game came in the top of the 8th, when the 'Claws put runners at second and third base with only one out. Clinging to a one-run lead, Crawdads reliever Joe Filomeno struck out Lakewood leadoff hitter Drew Stankiewicz to move one out away from escaping the frame with the lead intact, but the BlueClaws came through with back-to-back doubles by Scott Kingery and Herlis Rodriguez to drive in three runs and give the 'Claws a 5-3 lead they would not let go of.

Prior to the 8th, the 'Dads built a 3-2 advantage thanks to some early runs with clutch 2-out hits against Lakewood starter Chris Oliver. The first big knock came right away in the 1st, when Eduard Pinto singled to left with two outs, Jose Trevino doubled to left, and Jonathan Meyer brought them both in with a 2-RBI single for a 2-0 Hickory lead.

The BlueClaws got on the board against Crawdads starter Brett Martin in the 3rd with a solo home run by 9th place hitter Emmanuel Merrero to cut the score to 2-1, but the 'Dads answered right back in the 4th when Carlos Arroyo drove home Jairo Beras with a 2-out, RBI triple to once again put Hickory up by a pair with a 3-1 advantage.

The 'Claws picked up one last run against Martin in the 5th to end the hurler's night with two runs allowed on four hits and four strikeouts over 5 innings pitched. The 'Dads turned the 3-2 lead over to the pen in the 6th, with reliever Chris Dula delivering two scoreless frames before Lakewood rallied for three runs in the 8th and one in the 9th for the final 6-3 score.

BlueClaws reliever Manny Martinez (2-1) earned the win with two scoreless innings while Filomeno (0-1) took the loss for Hickory with a season-high 3 runs allowed on four hits and 2 Ks in his one frame on the mound. Lakewood closer Matt Hockenberry (7) picked up the save with a perfect 9th.

Jose Cardona was the only 'Dad to finish with a multi-hit game going 2-4 with a double, while Meyer ended the night 1-4 with 2 RBI and Arroyo went 1-4 with a triple and an RBI.

The Crawdads (45-26/1-2) will take on the BlueClaws (35-36/2-1) again Sunday evening at 5:00 pm in game three of the five-game series.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 27, 2015


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