SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Five BlueClaws Headed to SAL All-Star Game

Published on June 7, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, NJ - Five BlueClaws have been selected to represent Lakewood in the 2011 South Atlantic League All-Star Game to be held June 21st at Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, MD, home of the Delmarva Shorebirds.

Pitchers David Buchanan, Garett Claypool and Lisalberto Bonilla join first baseman Jim Murphy and outfielder Anthony Hewitt as the BlueClaws All-Star representatives.

The five Lakewood All-Stars ties Hagerstown for the most in the Northern Division.

Note: Stats through Monday, June 6th

Buchanan, 22, will be the Northern Division's starting pitcher. Drafted in the 7th round last year by the Phillies out of Georgia State University, Buchanan leads the league in wins (7) and is second in the league in ERA (2.15). The right-hander has thrown at least seven innings in seven of his 11 starts and on May 7th, threw Lakewood's first nine-inning complete game since 2007. The Peachtree City, Georgia native was previously a 6th round pick of the Mets in 2009.

"David has been our top pitcher from the start of the season," said BlueClaws manager Chris Truby. "He goes deep into almost all of his starts and has had a tremendous season."

Claypool (1-3, 2.97), an 11th round pick last year from UCLA, is seventh in the league in ERA. He moved into the starting rotation on May 3rd and was named the SAL Pitcher of the Week on May 23rd. The 22-year old from West Hills, CA allowed 2 ER in 27 innings from May 14th through 30th. He leads the league in WHIP (walks+hits per inning) at 1.01 and his 70 strikeouts rank second in the league.

"Garett has really strengthened our starting rotation and has been a strikeout artist for us," said Truby.

Bonilla (0-1, 1.16 with four saves), who turned 21 on Monday, has allowed just three ER in 23.1 innings with Lakewood this year after being added to the roster on May 3rd. The native of Samana, Dominican Republic split last year between the GCL Phillies and Williamsport.

"He's been a great addition to the back of our bullpen," added Truby.

Murphy, who is third in the league in home runs (13) and second in RBIs (43), is the Northern Division's starting first baseman. Originally a 17th round pick of the Phillies in 2008 from Washington State University, Murphy broke both the BlueClaws all-time home run and RBI records earlier this year. The 25-year old Seattle native was a member of the BlueClaws 2009 South Atlantic League Championship club.

"Jim has excellent power and has been the anchor of our lineup the whole year," said Truby.

Hewitt, 22, is the Northern Division's starting designated hitter. The Brooklyn native was a first-round pick in 2008 and this year is batting .259 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs. Hewitt hit 11 home runs with the BlueClaws last year helping the BlueClaws to a South Atlantic League title.

"He's worked very hard and has been our most improved player since the beginning of the season," noted Truby.

The five BlueClaws All-Stars mark the third most in franchise history (seven in 2007 and six in 2009).

The BlueClaws return home on June 9th to open a seven-game homestand.

Tickets for all 2011 BlueClaws home games are on sale by calling 732-901-7000 option 2 or online at BlueClaws.com.

Check out the Jersey Shore BlueClaws Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 7, 2011


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