Legends outlast BlueClaws for series split
Published on July 20, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, NJ - Both the Lakewood BlueClaws and the Lexington Legends battled deep into the night on Monday, but it was the Legends who got three runs in the eleventh inning for a 5-2 win.
In another back-and-forth game, the BlueClaws (13-12) took the lead early on in the first inning as Travis d'Arnaud hit a ball deep to center which was misplayed for a double and he was singled home by Jim Murphy.
Much like the game played on Sunday, the Legends (11-13) fired back with a run of their own and it was another leadoff walk that helped plate the run. Brian Pellegrini walked before a single by Eric Suttle and a sacrifice bunt moved the runners. Starter Trevor May then threw a wild pitch, scoring Pellegrini and tying the game at one.
The BlueClaws took the lead again in the third as they scored a run solely created by the speed of Anthony Gose. Gose earned a walk to lead off the game and stole second. On the next pitch, he stole third, the ball went into left field on the throw and Gose waltzed home for a 2-1 lead.
The Legends then came right back in the fifth with another run off May, who performed very well again in his seventh start of the season. May has now had five straight strong starts as he went six full on Monday, allowing two hits, two runs while striking out seven. His counterpart, starter Brad Dydalewicz was also very effective as he settled down after the third and lasted 7.1, allowing two runs, and struck out seven. Despite the strong outings, neither starter factored into the decision.
In the 11th inning, Pellegrini singled up the middle to lead the inning off before a mishandled bunt turned into first and second with no one out. A successful sacrifice put runners on second and third before an intentional walk set up a situation with the bases loaded and one out for a pinch-hitter Michael Diaz. Against reliever Eryk McConnell (0-1), Diaz singled to the right side, plating two and taking a 4-2 lead.
Patrick Urckfitz (4-0) pitched out of the tenth and stayed in for the eleventh to pick up the win.
The loss is the sixth straight for the BlueClaws in an attempt to go to 19 games above .500 for the first time this season. The BlueClaws and Legends split the series two games each, and the BlueClaws have done that now in four straight series.
The BlueClaws will enjoy an off day on Tuesday before traveling to Asheville to face the Tourists. On Wednesday at 7:05 pm the BlueClaws will open their four-game series with Justin De Fratus (3-3) on the mound and he will be opposed by righty Ethan Hollingsworth (5-5)
South Atlantic League Stories from July 20, 2009
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- Legends win in 11, 5-2 - Lexington Legends
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- Legends outlast BlueClaws for series split - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Power snap seven-game skid - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Griffith, Intimidators struggle in loss to Charleston - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
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- Nicholson's Gem Brings Eighth Straight - Augusta GreenJackets
- Asheville shut down to end trip - Asheville Tourists
- Marshall Placed on DL - Charleston RiverDogs
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- Chief Justice Jean Toal to Preside Over RiverDogs' CLE Night - Charleston RiverDogs
- Pat White Bobblehead Giveaway & More - Charleston Dirty Birds
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