Intimidators Earn Split 9-4
Published on July 11, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
KANNAPOLIS, NC - Instead of the bullpen allowing runs, Lakewood BlueClaws starter Jason Knapp allowed six in the first en route to a 9-4 loss to the Kannapolis Intimidators. The BlueClaws battled to make it close, but the Intimidators pulled away late.
Things got off to an ugly start for Knapp (2-7) and the BlueClaws (9-8) as the Intimidators (10-6) jumped all over the opposing starting pitcher. Justin Greene started the game off with a walk before Drew Garcia singled and Luis Sierra doubled home two. Daniel Black walked and then with two outs, Knapp issued another walk to Kenny Williams, loading the bases. The next batter Brandon Short hit a three-run double, and that was it for Knapp. This was Knapp's shortest outing, going just 2/3 innings. Jordan Ellis came on and allowed a single to Eduardo Escobar, scoring the sixth run of the inning before it ended.
Down six, Ellis stayed in the game and allowed another run in the fourth before the BlueClaws tried to mount a comeback.
In the sixth, the BlueClaws took a chunk out of the Intimidator's advantage as Harold Garcia and Korby Mintken both singled before Travis d'Arnaud hit an RBI- double. The BlueClaws added their second run as Jim Murphy grounded out, but a run scored.
The next inning, the BlueClaws got two more runs, but were unlucky not to make the game closer than that. In the inning, Harold Garcia, with a runner on, hit his sixth home run of the season, making it a 7-4 game. The BlueClaws had runners at the corners with one out, but Murphy lined into a double play.
In the bottom of the inning, off Freddy Ballestas, the Intimidators opened their lead up to four runs and in the next inning, the Intimidators added another run to make it 9-4.
Knapp took the loss as he allowed six runs, all earned, on three hits and three walks. Ellis went 4.1 innings and allowed just one run.
Stephen Sauer (5-3) started and went six strong innings and allowed just two runs on six hits while striking out five. He has started three times against the BlueClaws and the Intimidators have won all three games.
The BlueClaws finish the eight-game road trip at 4-4. They split both the series with West Virginia and Kannapolis. Also, in the game, Jeremy Hamilton had his league-long on-base streak ended at 32 games.
The BlueClaws will enjoy their first off day of the second half before coming back to FirstEnergy Park for an eight game series against two teams from the Southern Division. This will be the first time all season that the BlueClaws will face the Southern Division. The first four-game series will begin on Monday at 7:05 and Jesus Sanchez (4-3) will oppose Nick Barnese (4-1) of the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The BlueClaws will play the Lexington Legends beginning on Friday.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 11, 2009
- Grasshoppers sneak past Suns - Hagerstown Suns
- Ontiveros Drives In Game Winner, Hoppers Down Suns in Finale - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Field, Aristil Achieve Firsts in Victory - Asheville Tourists
- Bowling Green Nips Charleston, 3-2 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Shortstop's 5th inning single earns come-from-behind win - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Savannah's Carson shuts out Legends - Lexington Legends
- Crawdads take series against Captains with 7-6 win - Hickory Crawdads
- Drive Take Care of Braves, 4-1, in Series Finale at Fluor Field - Greenville Drive
- Intimidators Earn Split 9-4 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Early runs power Kannapolis to 9-4 win over Lakewood - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Power and Shorebirds Rained Out - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Bass goes deep twice, but Hoppers still fall to Suns - Greensboro Grasshoppers
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