RECAP - Claws Plate Three in Ninth, Top Birds 7-4
July 16, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
Lakewood BlueClaws pitcher Michael Gomez
(Jersey Shore BlueClaws)
SALISBURY, MD - Ben Pelletier's RBI single broke a 4-4 tie in the ninth as the BlueClaws scored three times en route to a 7-4 win over Delmarva on Tuesday at Perdue Stadium.
The win snaps Lakewood's (8-16/37-57) five game losing streak. The BlueClaws and Shorebirds (18-8/66-29), who had been 11-1 against Lakewood in Salisbury this year, have split the first two games in their three-game series.
Felix Bautista (0-1) came on in the ninth at 4-4 and Pelletier's RBI single, on a 1-2 pitch, put the BlueClaws in front. He drove in Seth Lancaster, who had opened the inning with a double to right field. Rafael Marchan added a SAC fly and Jonathan Guzman scored on a wild pitch in the inning.
Michael Gomez (1-0) earned the win for the BlueClaws, recording the final nine outs. Gomez has not allowed a run in 8.1 innings with the BlueClaws so far this season. He came in to the game tonight with the bases loaded and nobody out but allowed just one inherited runner to score.
Delmarva had tied the game with two unearned runs off Kevin Gowdy in the bottom of the seventh after they got a Robert Neustrom SAC fly in the sixth to pull within 4-2.
Adam Hall opened the scoring with his fourth home run of the year to put Delmarva up 1-0 in the first inning.
The BlueClaws responded in the third with two runs to take the lead without a hit. Rafael Marchan walked with the bases loaded and Luis Garcia's groundout gave the BlueClaws a 2-0 lead. Shorebirds starter Hector Guance walked three and hit one in the inning.
Guance came out after 2.2 innings, allowing two runs without a hit.
The BlueClaws extended the lead in the fourth off lefty Matt Hammonds on a two-run home run from Carlos De La Cruz. It was the 19 year old's fourth home run of the year, second of the series, and third since Friday. He hit one home run in Lakewood's first 89 games this year.
BlueClaws starter James McArthur went the first five, allowing one run on one hit. It matched his longest outing of the season.
The teams finish their series on Wednesday night at 7:05 pm. RHP Rafi Gonell (2-1) starts for Lakewood opposite LHP Nick Vespi (5-4).
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 Lakewood BlueClaws pitcher Michael Gomez |
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