Simmons' First Inning Grand Slam Keys Claws' 5-4 Win
Published on August 16, 2023 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
JERSEY SHORE, NJ - Kendall Simmons hit a first inning grand slam and the BlueClaws held off Asheville 5-4 on Wednesday at ShoreTown Ballpark.
With the win, the BlueClaws are now 18-5 in their last 23 games and have pulled to within one game of first place Brooklyn with 22 games to play.
Asheville starter Nick Swanson walked the first three batters before Kendall Simmons launched a grand slam over the left field wall to give the BlueClaws a 4-0 lead. It was Simmons' 8th home run of the season and the first BlueClaws grand slam since Jhailyn Ortiz hit one on May 27, 2021 at Hudson Valley.
The Tourists struck back with two unearned runs off starter Christian McGowan in the third. Ryan Wrobleski's two-run, two out single made it 4-2, though both runs were unearned.
McGowan, making his second start back with the BlueClaws this year, struck out five over three innings.
Gunner Mayer came on in the fourth. In the fifth, Asheville scored another unearned run on a two-out error from Simmons to cut the lead to 4-3. Mayer (3-6) gave up one unearned run in four innings to earn the win.
The BlueClaws added a run in the sixth on an RBI single by Justin Crawford.
Wesley Moore gave up a run in the eighth but stranded the bases loaded. Andrew Walling threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his second BlueClaws save.
Crawford had his first two-hit game with Jersey Shore.
The teams continue their series on Thursday night at 7:05 pm. RHP Mitch Neunborn starts for the BlueClaws.
-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-
South Atlantic League Stories from August 16, 2023
- Drive Blanked by Dash, 6-0 - Greenville Drive
- Cyclones Stifled by Renegades, 7-1 - Brooklyn Cyclones
- Simmons' First Inning Grand Slam Keys Claws' 5-4 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Renegades Win, 7-1, Over Cyclones - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Ortiz Blast Completes Comeback in 7-6 Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Keegan's Grand Slam Powers Hot Rods to 10-3 Win - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Dash Shuts Out Greenville in Game Two, 6-0 - Winston-Salem Dash
- Comeback Bid Falls Short in One-Run Loss - Asheville Tourists
- Grasshoppers Fall to the Hot Rods, 10-3 Wednesday Evening - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- HVR Game Notes - August 16, 2023 - Hudson Valley Renegades
- BlueClaws, RWJBarnabas Health Partner on Equipment Drive - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- 2024 HV Renegades Season Ticket Memberships on Sale Today - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Drive to Host Annual Chamber Night on August 29th - Greenville Drive
- Labor Day Celebrations with Drive Join the Labor Day Picnic on September 3 - Greenville Drive
- BlueClaws Fall Flea Market Set for October 22nd; Registration Now Open - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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.
