Kroon Comes Through; Claws Hold off Birds for 4-2 Tuesday Win

May 21, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release

SALISBURY, MD - Matt Kroon broke a 2-2 tie with a seventh-inning double and Mark Potterearned his first professional save as the BlueClaws topped Delmarva 4-2 on Tuesday night to snap a five-game losing streak.

Potter, who joined the BlueClaws on Thursday, struck out the last two hitters in the ninth to preserve the win for the BlueClaws (15-29). Delmarva (33-10) came into the game with the best record in Minor League Baseball but dropped their first game against the BlueClaws this season.

After Delmarva took the lead in the third, Matt Kroon tied the game with a base hit in the fifth for Lakewood. The Shorebirds re-took the lead in the fifth on an RBI single by Ryne Ogren off starter Jhordany Mezquita.

Mezquita came out after five innings, allowing two runs while striking out four.

The BlueClaws tied the game in the sixth off Matt Hammonds on a SAC fly from Carlos De La Cruz to Luis Garcia and tie the game at two.

Kroon came through again for the BlueClaws in the seventh, breaking a 2-2 tie with an RBI double to score Hunter Stovall with what proved to be the winning run. Stovall doubled on an 0-2 pitch leading off the inning.

Lakewood added a run on a double from Malvin Matos in the eighth.

Dominic Pipkin (2-1) earned the win with three scoreless innings in relief for the BlueClaws while Matt Hammonds (1-1) gave up two runs in two innings and took the loss.

Shorebirds starter Grayson Rodriguez went five innings, allowing one run and striking out six.

Matt Kroon, Malvin Matos and Jake Holmes each had two hits for the BlueClaws, who had 12 on the night, their highest hit output since May 2nd.

The teams continue their series on Wednesday morning at 10:35 am. RHP Francisco Morales (0-3) starts for Lakewood opposite RHP Gray Fenter (3-1).

South Atlantic League Stories from May 21, 2019

• Eight Run Second Launches Suns to 12-5 Win - Hagerstown Suns
• Trio of Homers Not Enough in 10-7 Loss to Greensboro - Charleston Dirty Birds
• 'Claws Beat 'Birds on Mid-Inning Attrition - Delmarva Shorebirds
• RiverDogs Offense Surges Late, But Falls Short to Tourists in Road Trip Opener - Charleston RiverDogs
• Montes Bunts Home the Game Winner - Asheville Tourists
• Errors Bite Jackets in Series Opener - Augusta GreenJackets
• 'Dads Walk-Off in 10th against Charleston - Hickory Crawdads
• Kroon Comes Through; Claws Hold off Birds for 4-2 Tuesday Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Big Fourth Inning Propels Fireflies to Win - Columbia Fireflies
• Fireflies Roster Move and Game Notes - May 21 vs. Greenville (Game 45) - Columbia Fireflies
• Hagerstown Suns Game Notes - Hagerstown Suns
• Game Notes (May 21) - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Columbia Wins Finale 4-2 over Rome - Rome Emperors
• 'Birds Rise Back from Dead, Stun K-Town - Delmarva Shorebirds

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