Greensboro Evens Series with 4-3 Win Over Lakewood
Published on June 2, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
GREENSBORO, NC - The Greensboro Grasshoppers walked-off winners over the Lakewood BlueClaws 4-3 on Thursday night in Greensboro, NC. It was a very important game for both teams in terms of standings for the playoff race, and the Grasshoppers were just able to scratch out the victory in the 9th inning. Lakewood led 1-0 after the top of the 1st inning, trailed 3-1 after the bottom of the 1st inning, and the game was tied 3-3 after the top of the 2nd inning. That's the way it stayed all the way until the bottom of the 9th inning as both starting pitchers really settled in nicely after getting off to a rough start in the ballgame.
The ace of the staff so far this year RHP David Buchanan got the start for Lakewood, and was unable to pitch the BlueClaws to a victory. He allowed back-to-back singles to begin the ballgame, then a big 3-run HR to Ryan Fisher to make it 3-1. After that, he was his usual dominate self as he retired the next 12 batters he faced before walking the lead off man in the 5th inning. Buchanan quickly erased him on a ground ball double play, and didn't allow another hit following Fishers 3-run bomb until Fisher's 2 out single in the 6th inning. His final line was a solid 7 IP, 4 hits, 3 ER, 1 walk, and 7 K's. Jay Johnson pitched a scoreless 8th inning for the BlueClaws, and then gave way to Tyler Knigge. Knigge didn't record an out in the 9th as he gave up a lead-off single to Mark Canha, then a game wining RBI double to Christian Yelich to end the game. Knigge picked up the loss to fall to 1-2 in 2011.
Edgar Duran hit his 3rd HR of the year for the BlueClaws with a solo shot in the 1st inning, but there was just not enough offense on the night for Lakewood. Miguel Avarez and Aaron Altherr each had 2 hits, but no BlueClaws runner made it past 1st Base after the 2nd inning of the ballgame. Greensboro SP Kyle Winters went 7 innings, allowed 7 hits, 3 ER, 1 walk, and struck out 4. Grant Dayton pitched a scoreless 8th, and Michael Brady struck out the side in the 9th for a 1-2-3 inning. Dayton got the win to move to 4-1 on the year.
With the loss Lakewood falls to 28-25, 2 games back of Greensboro who advances to 30-23. Friday night the same two teams will meet again for game 3 of the 4 game series in a very important ballgame. Red hot LHP Jesse Biddle will start for Lakewood. He is 2-0 in his last 3 starts, and threw a career high 7 innings his last time out against Delmarva. RHP Jared Rogers comes in at 2-3 with a 2.55 ERA and will get the start for Greensboro. First pitch Friday night is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 2, 2011
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- Rome Keeps Right on Raking, Tops Charleston, 9-4 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Crawdads Clip Shorebirds with 5-3 Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Greensboro Evens Series with 4-3 Win Over Lakewood - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Crawdads Drop Shorebirds 5-3 to Level Series - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Late Rally Comes Up Short in 4-3 Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
- Gnats Game Notes: Thursday, June 2 Vs. Kannapolis - Savannah Sand Gnats
- RiverDogs to Host Youth Baseball Camps - Charleston RiverDogs
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