Velasquez Wins Fifth, BlueClaws Snap Streak
Published on April 30, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
HICKORY, NC - When Jon Velasquez pitches, the BlueClaws win. That statement was proved true again as he picked up his fifth win in six appearances in a 6- 4 game against the Hickory Crawdads in the first of a four game series, snapping a two game losing streak.
The BlueClaws (12-8) got another early lead in the first inning as Harold Garcia lead the game off with a single, he then stole second and was brought home by a Jim Murphy single to right field.
The Crawdads (10-11) came right back though in the second as, once again the BlueClaws can't hold on to a first-inning lead with a leadoff double by Michael Bianucci and an RBI single from Matthew West.
However, the BlueClaws would respond with two runs in the fourth, as Murphy doubled, Sebastian Valle singled to bring Murphy home and then Jesus Villegas singled to bring Valle home. The two runs gave the BlueClaws a 3-1 lead which they would add on to in the sixth.
In the sixth, the BlueClaws got Murphy on base with a hit by pitch, Travis Mattair singled and the runners moved up on an error before Villegas came to the plate. The Crawdads then took out starting pitcher Richard Bleier in favor of Tyler Tufts but Tufts could not get out of the inning. Villegas singled and drove in two runs to take a 5-1 lead.
The Crawdads answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning but the BlueClaws got one of those runs back on an RBI double by Travis d'Arnaud, making it 6- 3.
The Crawdads would add a run in the eighth, but that would be it for the scoring.
In his second start of the season, Velasquez (5-0) went one out into the sixth inning and allowed five hits and three runs. He was then relieved by Walter Tejeda, who went 1.2 innings and allowed two hits and allowed one run. Ryan Bergh came on in the eighth and worked out of a sticky situation and then worked a clean ninth inning for his third save.
Bleier came into the game having allowed one run in 18 innings of work but the BlueClaws were able to touch him up for five runs on the night, however only two were earned.
The BlueClaws, back in the black, will look to make it two in a row on Saturday night at 7:00 pm as they play game two of four against the Crawdads. The BlueClaws will send Tyler Cloyd (1-1) to the mound and he will be opposed by Cliff Springston (1-1).
*Note: RHP Rob Roth has been put on the disabled list with an oblique strain and RHP Heitor Correa will be activated from extended spring training. Correa will wear the number 16.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 30, 2009
- Lake County Captains Return Home on May 5 - Lake County Captains
- Four-Run Eighth Gives Sand Gnats 7-4 Win Over Drive - Greenville Drive
- BlueClaws clip Crawdads, 6-4 - Hickory Crawdads
- Tempers flare in loss to Hagerstown - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Late Rally Lifts Gnats To Victory - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Legends take over first in SAL Southern with 13-1 win over Rome - Lexington Legends
- Tourists Streak Over Riverdogs - Asheville Tourists
- Tourists Strikeout RiverDogs, 6-5 - Charleston RiverDogs
- âHoppers Break April Attendance Record - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Tourists Streak Over Riverdogs - Asheville Tourists
- Intimidators staff strikes out 21 in 10-inning 1-0 win - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Feisty Suns win opener in West Virginia, 9-2 - Hagerstown Suns
- Velasquez Wins Fifth, BlueClaws Snap Streak - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Power Unveils New Home Jersey - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Hamburger and Fry complete your meal at L.P. Frans - Hickory Crawdads
- Carl Edwards #60 Scotts Miracle Grow Car to Appear at FirstEnergy Park May 8th - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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