Five-Run Comeback Leads to Mattair Game-winner
Published on May 5, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, NJ - With a 7-2 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, all looked well for the Kannapolis Intimidators, but a four-run eighth, an unearned run in the ninth and a Travis Mattair game-winning single in the tenth changed things dramatically in what was an exciting 8-7 victory for the Lakewood BlueClaws at FirstEnergy Park.
The BlueClaws (14-10) got out to an early advantage with runs in both the second and third innings as they took a 2-0 lead on the Intimidators. In the second inning, Zach Collier continued his hot hitting with a one-out double and was brought home on the next ball put into play as Troy Hanzawa singled up the middle, bringing home Collier. The BlueClaws added to their lead in the third after a double by Anthony Gose and a scorched single up the middle by Jim Murphy to extend the lead.
However the lead was short-lived as the Intimidators (14-11) rallied against BlueClaws starter Jesus Sanchez in the fourth with a Sergio Morales single, followed by a walk to Jorge Castillo and a double to Jon Gilmore got the ball rolling in what was a three-run inning for the Chicago White Sox affiliate. An error on a fly ball by Collier aided the inning as the Intimidators took a 3-2 in the inning.
The Intimidators then scored single runs in the fourth and fifth before tacking two more runs on in the eighth in a moderate rain. Tyler Kuhn had two doubles on the night, he also scored two runs. Gilmore also scored twice as he went 2-for-4 in the losing effort.
The BlueClaws began their comeback however in the eighth inning as Sebastian Valle led off with a walk, followed by a single by Collier and a walk to Hanzawa to load the bases. D'Arby Myers grounded out and brought home a run before Harold Garcia brought two more home with a double to left field. Gose laid down a bunt single before Travis d'Arnaud made it a one-run game with a sacrifice fly. The BlueClaws would leave Gose on third though in a 7-6 ballgame in the eighth.
In the ninth, the BlueClaws were down to their last out with back-to-back strikeouts before Collier tripled to centerfield and newly acquired catcher Brendan Akashian grounded the ball to the second baseman Drew Garcia who let the ball go through his legs and the tying run waltzed in from third. The next batter was Myers who walked before Garcia singled to right. Sergio Morales threw a one hop strike to the plate to nail Jesus Villegas at the plate.
Dexter Carter (2-0) went six strong innings, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out two. He worked out of some situations with runners on base with timely strikeouts in picking up his second win. Nate Jones came on in relief and worked a clean seventh before running into trouble in the eighth. The Intimidators then used two more pitchers, Adam Bowling and Dan Remenowsky to escape the inning with the lead. Remenowsky (3-1) pitched through the end of the game and was the bad luck loser with the run he allowed in the tenth.
Sanchez worked well in his first three innings but ran into trouble in the fourth and lasted only 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs. He was relieved by Justin De Fratus who, in 2.2 innings, allowed three hits and one run. Esmelvin Jiminez came on in the seventh and allowed three hits and a run as well. Ryan Arial, who was activated earlier in the day from the disabled list, worked the ninth and didn't allow a run before BJ Rosenberg (2-0) pitched the tenth and did the same.
The BlueClaws will play late-morning, early-afternoon baseball on Wednesday at 11:05 am as they play game two of a four game series with the Intimidators. The BlueClaws will send undefeated league-leader in wins Jon Velasquez (5-0) to the mound for his third start of the season.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 5, 2009
- Power and Shorebirds Rained Out - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Intimdators blow five-run lead in 8-7 loss to Lakewood - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Five-Run Comeback Leads to Mattair Game-winner - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Crawdads knock Captains off course with 2-1 win - Hickory Crawdads
- Rain washes away finale between Gnats and Tourists - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Brian McCann's Assignment Changes - Rome Emperors
- Rome Splits Doubleheader - Rome Emperors
- Drive Cruise Past RiverDogs - Greenville Drive
- Hagerstown Suns and Greensboro Grasshoppers Postponed - Hagerstown Suns
- NewBridge Bank Park announced as site for 2010 ACC Baseball Tournament - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Drive Cruises Past RiverDogs - Charleston RiverDogs
- Kannapolis Intimidators Salute our Troops - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- FirstEnergy Park to host Division III NCAA Regional Next Week - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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.
