Howard Fans Nine, BlueClaws Steal Five in 5-2 Win

April 20, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release

SALISBURY, MD - Spencer Howard struck out nine over five innings and Kevin Markham stole three bases as the BlueClaws topped Delmarva 5-2 on Friday night at Perdue Stadium to get over .500 for the first time this year.

The BlueClaws (8-7) began the year 1-4 and had been 4-4, 5-5, and 6-6 but Friday's win put them over .500 for the first time in 2018. Delmarva (11-4), who is 10-0 against everyone else in the league, dropped their fourth of five games against the BlueClaws this year.

Trailing 2-1, the BlueClaws got three runs in the fourth inning. Nick Maton walked, stole second, and beat a throw home on a Dalton Guthrie ground ball. After a walk to Kevin Markham, Jhailyn Ortiz's RBI single to left put the BlueClaws up 3-2. Lakewood added a run on a Quincy Nieporte SAC fly for a 4-2 lead.

That was enough for Howard (1-1), who retired the last 11 hitters he faced, striking out eight of them. In three starts, Howard has fanned 22 hitters in 15 innings. His nine Friday strikeouts were one off his career high of 10 set last year.

Delmarva starter Matthias Dietz (2-1) allowed four runs in 3.1 innings and walked seven, the most walks by a BlueClaws opposing pitcher since 2015.

Lakewood added a run in the eighth inning on an RBI single from Markham.

Markham, playing in his second game, had two hits, three stolen bases, and scored two runs, becoming the first BlueClaw to steal three bases in a game since Scott Kingery in 2015. Jake Scheiner had two hits and Quincy Nieporte had two RBIs for Lakewood.

The BlueClaws, who had stolen just four bases in their first 14 games, stole five as a team in the win on Friday. Nick Maton and Dalton Guthrie joined Markham with stolen bases.

The teams continue their series on Saturday night at 7:05 pm. LPH Damon Jones (1-1) starts for the BlueClaws opposite RPH Brennan Hanifee (1-1).

South Atlantic League Stories from April 20, 2018

• Suns Come from Behind in Friday Win - Hagerstown Suns
• Frost's Three-Run Shot Lifts I's over Greenville - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Lexington Falls in Game Two After Hagerstown Grand Slam - Lexington Legends
• 'Birds Engine Stalls against Lakewood - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Late-Inning Homer Helps Power Outlast Tourists on Friday - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Braley Fans Career-High 9 in Win vs 'Dogs - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• Columbia Bounces Back, Cavallaro Wins Again - Columbia Fireflies
• Howard Fans Nine, BlueClaws Steal Five in 5-2 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Power Outlast the Tourists 6-5 - Asheville Tourists
• RiverDogs Drop Another Nail Biter in Greensboro - Charleston RiverDogs
• Drive Defeated 4-1 by Intimidators - Greenville Drive
• 7th Inning Home Run Sinks GreenJackets - Augusta GreenJackets
• Delgado's Dinger Lifts Rome to 5-4 Win - Rome Emperors
• West Virginia Power: Game Notes (April 20) - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Fireflies Roster Move and Game Notes: April 20 vs. Hickory (Game 15) - Columbia Fireflies
• BrewFest CharlieWest III to Host 21 Breweries in 2018 - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Merandy Gonzalez Becomes First Former Fireflies Player to Reach the Major Leagues - Columbia Fireflies
• Back to Basics, RiverDogs Settle in for Four-Game Homestand - Charleston RiverDogs

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