SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Stutes superb in 4-0 Lakewood win

Published on August 6, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- Mike Stutes continued to dominate South Atlantic League competition, giving Lakewood seven dominant innings to help the BlueClaws to a 4-0 victory over Hagerstown on Wednesday night at Municipal Stadium.

Stutes, an 11th round draft pick in 2008, did not allow a run in his seven frames on the mound. He gave up just three hits total, but did not allow a base hit after the fourth. Stutes (3-0) also struck out a career-high 12 batters, while walking just two.

Stutes lowered his ERA with Lakewood to a microscopic 0.47 in three starts. He has given up just one run with 24 strikeouts in his first 19 innings with the 'Claws.

Chris Kissock came in a pitched the final two scoreless innings to pull Lakewood (29-17, 67-49) within a game and a half of idle first-place West Virginia and give the rest of the bullpen a much needed rest. The BlueClaws were forced to use six pitchers in a 15-inning loss to Greensboro on Tuesday night. It was the eighth shutout of the season by Lakewood pitching and first since a 1-0 victory over Kannapolis on July 28.

Kissock and Stutes combined to strike out 15 hitters, a new season high for the BlueClaws. Michael Burgess was the only Suns hitter not to go down on strikes.

It was another of the BlueClaws newest members that made the biggest offensive impact. Luis Arzeno, who hit just .190 in 11 games in the GCL before joining Lakewood on Tuesday, finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs in his BlueClaws debut.

Travis Mattair was the only other BlueClaws player to pick up a multi-hit game as they combined for just seven hits. Mattair went 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs, including the game-winner off of starter Colton Willems (5-9).

Willems, a former first round draft pick, lasted just five innings, giving up two earned runs. Both runs came across in the fifth inning on three consecutive hits, including RBI singles from Arzeno and Mattair.

Lakewood added two more against the bullpen in the seventh. With Ryan Buchter on the hill, the BlueClaws took advantage of a Mike Durant leadoff double to pile on some insurance.

The two sides will continue the series on Thursday night with a 7:05 first pitch. Chance Chapman (7-5) will try to make it two straight wins for the 'Claws, while Cole Kimball (4-6) will counter for the Suns (20-26, 54- 61).

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 6, 2008


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