Suns snag 5-3 comeback win over Lakewood
Published on June 3, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The BlueClaws missed a series of early opportunities on Tuesday night at First Energy Park and got nothing going late as Hagerstown rallied for a 5-3 victory. The loss snapped Lakewood's four game winning streak.
Lakewood put the first five hitters on base in the first inning against Hagerstown starter Brad Meyers, but managed just two runs. After three innings, the BlueClaws had put seven hits on the board and the Suns had committed two errors, yet Lakewood led just 3-1.
The slim advantage would not hold, as Hagerstown scored the final four runs of the game. The Suns tied the game with a two-out rally in the sixth and took the lead for good with two runs in the seventh.
The missed chances were more reminiscent of performances early in season than anything the BlueClaws had put together as of late. Lakewood had won 11 of 12 entering the contest, but could not contain the hard-hitting Suns.
Delmarva defeated Lake County earlier in the evening, keeping the BlueClaws within two games of the Captains. The Shorebirds are now just a half game out of first place in the Northern Division with 12 games, including eight against the BlueClaws, remaining in the first half.
Lakewood tallied just three hits in the final six innings against Meyers and a trio of Hagerstown relievers. Two of those came in the ninth inning with two outs against closer Edulin Abreu. But Abreu got Michael Taylor to strike out to end the game and claim his fourth save of the season.
Taylor, who was named to the North Division All Star Team prior to the game, finished 0-for-5, snapping a nine-game hitting streak. Joel Naughton, also named an All Star, also went hitless, going 0-for-4.
Darren Byrd made his second start of the season for the BlueClaws and again pitched well. The right- hander gave up three runs, but just two earned, in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two in the no-decision.
Joe Rocchio (2-6) was left on the hook for the loss, his sixth in 17 bullpen appearances. The BlueClaws reliever was roughed up for the decisive two runs in the seventh, as all the damage came with two outs.
After back-to-back groundouts, Rocchio issued a walk to Stephen King. He then struck out Michael Burgess, but the wild pitch got away from Naughton. Sean Rooney followed with a double to leftfield to clear the bases and give the Hagerstown the lead.
The BlueClaws look to regain their recent form on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. as they close out the series with the Suns. The game will feature the first bobblehead giveaway of the season. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will all receive Kyle Kendrick "Made the Phillies" bobbleheads, courtesy of Smart Carpet and Flooring.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 3, 2008
- Suns top Blueclaws 5-3 - Hagerstown Suns
- Two Out Hits Prevents Jackets Sweep of Greenville - Augusta GreenJackets
- Shorebirds Defeat Captains 3-2 - Lake County Captains
- Suns snag 5-3 comeback win over Lakewood - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Drive End Short Series in Augusta with 5-3 Win - Greenville Drive
- Two Run Hits Prevents Jackets Sweep of Greenville - Augusta GreenJackets
- Unscheduled Fireworks Show Leads to 12th Loss - Columbus Catfish
- 'Birds Close the Gap, Win 3-2, Now a Half Game Out of First Place - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Legends Can't Extend Three-Game Winning Streak - Lexington Legends
- Lakewood Places Four on All-Star Team - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- RiverDogs Conquer Rome - Charleston RiverDogs
- South Atlantic League Announces 2008 All-Star Rosters - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Lincoln, Home Runs Snap Six-Game Skid - Hickory Crawdads
- Greensboro Bangs Out Second Straight - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Legends End Power Winning Streak - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Intimidators Fall 11-5 On Education Day To Greensboro - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Three Shorebirds Selected to SAL All-Star Game - Delmarva Shorebirds
- The 49th Annual SAL All-Star Game - SAL1
- Captains Pitchers Lead All Star Contingent - SAL1
- Suns Drop Season-Worst Sixth in a Row - Hagerstown Suns
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