Durant slugs Lakewood to 4-3 comeback win

August 26, 2008 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release

LAKEWOOD, N.J. - Mike Durant's two-RBI double in the bottom of the eighth helped the BlueClaws to a comeback 4-3 victory over the Delmarva Shorebirds on Tuesday night at FirstEnergy Park.

The BlueClaws nearly wasted one of the best starts of the season from Julian Sampson, when the Shorebirds rallied for two unearned runs in the top of the eighth off of Moises Melendez. But Lakewood rallied for three runs in the home half of the inning to take the come-from-behind win.

Durant's big hit capped a four-hit frame, which featured a single from Freddy Galvis, who was named to the Postseason All Star Team prior to the game. Tim Kennelly drove in the first run of the inning with an RBI single off of Aubrey Miller (3-5) and came around to score the game-winning run.

Sampson took a tough-luck no decision, as the 19- year old right-hander gave up just one run in six innings. Sampson did not allow a hit through the first four innings, but left with the game tied, 1-1.

Matt Rizzotti gave the BlueClaws an early lead with a solo home run in the top of the third inning off of starter Luis Noel. Noel did not factor in the decision despite a solid start. Noel went five innings, giving up two hits while striking out three and walking three.

The BlueClaws nearly gave the game away thanks to a number of defensive miscues. Derrick Mitchell made a costly error that allowed both eighth-inning runs to score. Despite giving up the go-ahead runs in the eighth, Melendez (4-3) earned the win with two innings of relief.

Jared Simon gave up a hit in the ninth, but got a game-ending doubleplay ball off the bat of Matt Angle to end the game. Simon now has a franchise-high 28 saves on the season.

The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the 'Claws (39-25, 77-57) and helped Lakewood keep pace with first-place West Virginia. Lakewood remains 3 ½ games behind the Power after West Virginia took a 7-3 win over Lexington.

The BlueClaws will go for the series win on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. at FirstEnergy Park. Chance Chapman (7-5) will take the mound for the BlueClaws, while southpaw Nate Nery (5-3) will go for Delmarva (35-28, 73-59).

South Atlantic League Stories from August 26, 2008

• Captains Scorch Suns 8-1 - Lake County Captains
• Sand Gnats Rally Late to Top RiverDogs, 4-2 - Charleston RiverDogs
• Durant slugs Lakewood to 4-3 comeback win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Power take game, series - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Birds drop one-run decision - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Suns bow out to Captains - Hagerstown Suns
• Catfish postponed again - Columbus Catfish
• Galvis Named to Postseason All-Star Team - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Montero Named to SAL Postseason All-Star Team - Charleston RiverDogs
• Stanton Named to South Atlantic League Annual All-Star Team - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• Power Sweep SAL POTW Honors - Charleston Dirty Birds
• 2008 SAL All-Star Team Announced - SAL1
• Tourists Holcomb Named SAL MVP - Asheville Tourists
• 2008 SAL All-Star Team Announced; Bumgarner named Most Outstanding Pitcher - SAL1
• Greensboro's Tuesday Double-Header Cancelled - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• Hoppers on Brink of another All-Time Attendance Record - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• Intimidators and Grasshoppers Rained Out To End Home Schedule - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

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