Grand Slam Subdues 'Dads in 6-3 Loss
Published on June 26, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, NC - One swing of the bat proved to be the difference in an otherwise low-scoring game for the Hickory Crawdads Friday night, as Lakewood BlueClaws left fielder Cord Sandberg lined a grand slam just inside the right field foul poll in the 3rd to send the 'Dads to a 6-3 loss at L.P. Frans Stadium.
The Crawdads entered the 3rd inning already trailing the 'Claws 1-0, before Hickory starting pitcher Cody Buckel loaded the bases on two hit batsmen and a walk to bring up Sandberg with one out. The Lakewood slugger followed with a line drive down the right field line that just cleared the top of the fence and snuck inside the foul pole for a grand slam. The ensuing 5-0 BlueClaws lead would ultimately hold up, as the 'Dads rallied for one run in the 3rd and two in the 5th before falling by the final score of 6-3.
The Crawdads were able to work their way back into the contest thanks to 4.1 nearly perfect innings of relief by Hickory right-hander Kelvin Vasquez. The 6'4" Dominican Republic native recorded the final out of the top of the 3rd in relief of Buckel and allowed only one base runner on an error as he sat the 'Claws down through the 7th.
The standout bullpen outing allowed the 'Dads offense to pick away at the deficit, beginning in the home half of the 3rd when Ricky Valencia walked to start the inning before ultimately scoring on an RBI sacrifice fly from Michael De Leon to make the score 5-1. The Crawdads made the game even tighter with a pair of runs in the 5th, this time with Jairo Beras coming through with a 2-out, 2-RBI single up the middle to bring the 'Dads within two at 5-3.
That would be as close as Hickory would get however, as the BlueClaws picked up an unearned insurance run in the top of the 9th on a passed ball before working around a leadoff double by Eduard Pinto in the 9th to close out the game.
Lakewood starter Ranfi Casimiro (3-5) earned the win with three runs allowed on four hits, two walks, and four strikeouts over his five innings pitched. Buckel (0-2) took the loss for the 'Dads after giving up five runs on four hits, two walks, and three hit batters over 2.2 IP.
Beras ended the game 1-4 with 2 RBI, while Josh Morgan extended his hitting streak to 8 games with a 2-4 night.
The Crawdads (45-25/1-1) will host the BlueClaws (34-36/1-1) again on Saturday night, with first pitch for game three of the five-game series scheduled for 7:00 pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 26, 2015
- Simon's 4-for-4 night' not enough as I's fall - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Grand Slam Subdues 'Dads in 6-3 Loss - Hickory Crawdads
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- Arias Fans Baker's Dozen in 6-4 Loss Friday - Savannah Sand Gnats
- West Virginia wins over Greensboro - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Legends Take Second Straight over Savannah - Lexington Legends
- Sandberg's Grand Slam Leads Claws to 6-3 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- RiverDogs, Drive Suspended Due to Weather - Charleston RiverDogs
- Drive and RiverDogs Suspended on Friday - Greenville Drive
- WV Power Game Notes: June 26, 2015 vs. Greensboro - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Nine Days of RiverDogs Promotions to Kick off Second Half of Season - Charleston RiverDogs
- RiverDogs to Don Jersey Tribute for Remainder of Season - Charleston RiverDogs
- Rafael Devers Named to World Roster for 2015 Futures Game - Greenville Drive
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