Down to Final Strike, Claws Rally for Five in the Ninth and Win 8-5
July 15, 2023 - South Atlantic League (SAL)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
ROME, GA - The BlueClaws were down to their final strike on Saturday night, but it didn't matter. Nick Ward tied the game with a two-run single and Rixon Wingrove smashed a two-run triple to give the BlueClaws the lead in an 8-5 win over Rome.
The BlueClaws earned their first win of the series after dropping the opener on Friday night. It was their second win of the season when trailing heading into the ninth inning.
The BlueClaws got the first two on base, trailing 5-3. Then with two outs, and after a walk to load the bases, Nick Ward hit what he thought was a go-ahead grand slam on an 0-2 pitch. It was called foul, and BlueClaws manager Greg Brodzinski was ejected for arguing the call. Ward then followed with a two-run single on an 0-2 pitch to tie the game. Then Rixon Wingrove smashed a two-run triple to right-center to give the BlueClaws a 7-5 lead.
Wingrove then came home on a fielding error on a grounder from Marcus Lee Sang.
Tommy McCollum threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn his sixth save.
Rome got going quickly when Ignacio Alvarez hit a solo home run off Jordan Fowler in the bottom of the first inning. He homered again, this time a two-run shot, in the third to put the Braves up 3-0.
Neither team scored until the sixth inning when Nick Ward hit a SAC fly to put the BlueClaws on the board.
Trailing 3-1 into the eighth, the BlueClaws rallied to tie the game. Hao-Yu Lee homered into the right-centerfield bullpen to cut the lead to 3-2. It was his third home run of the season. After two walks, Marcus Lee Sang tied the game with an RBI double.
Rome then re-took the lead in the bottom of the eighth off Cam Wynne on solo home runs by Keshawn Ogans, his fifth of the year, and Bryson Horne, his sixth of the season.
Braves lefty Max Fried started for Rome on a rehab assignment and threw three scoreless innings.
Ward drove in three while Wingrove drove in two. Lee, Wingrove, and Lee Sang all had two hits for Jersey Shore in the win.
The teams finish their series on Sunday at 1:05. LHP Matt Osterberg starts for Jersey Shore.
-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-
South Atlantic League Stories from July 15, 2023
- Fried Shines, Braves Fall Late to BlueClaws - Rome Emperors
- Down to Final Strike, Claws Rally for Five in the Ninth and Win 8-5 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Saturday's Tourists Game Suspended After Three Innings - Asheville Tourists
- Renegades Win 5-4 - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Keegan Blast Two Homers, Hot Rods Fall 5-4 to Renegades - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Rain Shortens Saturday's Matchup as 'Dads Fall - Hickory Crawdads
- Drive Win Rain-Shortened Game, 5-0 Over Crawdads - Greenville Drive
- HVR Game Notes - July 15, 2023 - Hudson Valley Renegades
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
