SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Late Home Run Lifts BlueClaws

Published on May 15, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


KANNAPOLIS, NC - Down to their last out, the Lakewood BlueClaws final hope was Jim Murphy and he produced in a big way. With Harold Garcia on first, Murphy stroked a two-run home run down the line which pushed the BlueClaws (19-14) past the Kannapolis Intimidators 3-2 on Friday night. The win is the fourth in five games for Lakewood.

The story line through the first seven innings was the pitching of Intimidators (17-17) starter Charles Leesman as he had sent down 20 straight batters to start the game. His perfect game was broken up with two outs in the seventh as Travis d'Arnaud singled to center. Leesman ended up going 7.2 innings, allowing just the one hit and no earned runs in the no decision. He also struck out nine batters.

The Intimidators got on the board in the sixth as Tyler Kuhn doubled in Drew Garcia to take the lead on BlueClaws starter Heitor Correa, 1-0. Correa pitched a fantastic game, overshadowed by his counterpart. He went seven innings, allowing just four hits and one run while fanning three.

The BlueClaws countered with a run in the eighth as Troy Hanzawa hit an infield single and Sebastian Valle never stopped running from where he started at second base. The catcher dropped the ball at a play at the plate and Valle was safe. The Intimidators, however, came back with a run of their own off BJ Rosenberg in the eighth and regained the lead 2-1.

With the lead in the ninth, the Intimidators kept Charlis Burdie (1-3) in the game to close the game out in the ninth and he walked Harold Garcia to start the inning. After a failed bunt by Anthony Gose and a pop out by d'Arnaud, Murphy batted with two-out. Murphy took the Burdie offering down the line in left field and the only debate was if the ball would stay fair. It did and the BlueClaws took a 3-2 lead that Rosenberg (3-1) would eventually hold in the bottom half of the inning.

The BlueClaws have now won four of their last five games and are back at a season-high five games over .500. With the win, the BlueClaws could be in first place by themselves by tomorrow based on results from around the league.

The BlueClaws will look to move to six games over .500 on Saturday night at 7:05 as they will send Jesus Sanchez (1-2) to the mound in search of his second career victory. Sanchez is coming off five strong innings at home against Hickory. He will be opposed by Dexter Carter (1-1).

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 15, 2009


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