SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Murphy's Homer, Knapp's Fastball Beat Grasshoppers

Published on June 30, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, NJ - In an exciting affair, it was Jim Murphy's home run in the seventh inning that was the difference in a 7-4 win for the Lakewood BlueClaws against the Greensboro Grasshoppers. Jason Knapp started that game and was absolutely dominant in five innings, striking out 12 batters.

In a tie ballgame in the seventh, with Travis d'Arnaud on at first, Murphy took a pitch from Bryan Evans (2-3) and deposited it over the wall in left field to take a 6-4 lead.

The Grasshoppers (1-4) got on the board first with a controversial run in the first inning as a run scored after a runner at second was called out stealing a base on an over-slide. The runner, Kevin Mattison was judged to have touched home first before the out was made at second.

However, the BlueClaws (3-3) then tallied two runs in both the third and fourth innings, as in the third, Harold Garcia singled and then scored on a sacrifice fly and Anthony Gose, who walked, scored as the catcher Torre Langley made a wild throw down to second, attempting to get Travis d'Arnaud from taking a base on a wild pitch.

In the fourth, the BlueClaws used four straight hits from Vladimir De Los Santos, Zach Collier, Troy Hanzawa and then a two-run single by Garcia to score two and take a 4-1 lead.

Knapp exited the game due to a high pitch count in the fifth having allowed just one run on two hits and striking out 12. Knapp struck out eight batters in a row and then hit Langley with a pitch, preventing him from striking out the entire Grasshoppers starting lineup in order. However he did record nine straight outs by way of strikeout and ended with his second most strikeouts in a game this season.

In the sixth, Jordan Ellis came on in relief and allowed two to reach base before Ben Lasater hit a game-tying three-run home run. The BlueClaws later took the lead for good on the Murphy home run.

BJ Rosenberg came on in the eighth and worked a six-out save, his team leading 12th.

All-Star Johnny Dorn started the game for the Grasshoppers and went 5.1 innings, allowing three earned runs and eight hits.

With the win, the BlueClaws are now 8-0 when on a two-game losing streak. BlueClaws pitching struck out the Greensboro hitters a total of 18 times.

The four-game series will continue on Wednesday at 7:05 pm as the BlueClaws look to move a game over .500 in the second half for the second time. Jesus Sanchez (3-4) will get the call to start the game and he will be opposed by righty Tom Koehler (4-3).

Check out the Jersey Shore BlueClaws Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from June 30, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central