Walk-off wild pitch caps 5-4 BlueClaws' win
Published on June 7, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, N.J. - D'Arby Myers scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to seal a wild 5-4 walk-off BlueClaws victory over the Delmarva Shorebirds on Saturday night at FirstEnergy Park.
Shane Mathews (0-1) missed his target with the bases loaded and Matt Rizzotti at the plate allowing Myers to trot home from third base to end the game. The BlueClaws did not have a hit in the inning, as Myers reached on an error before Dominic Brown was intentionally walked and Michael Taylor was hit by a pitch.
The win was an unlikely one for the BlueClaws, who were outhit in the game 12-7, but it pulled Lakewood (35-26) within one game of Lake County for first place in the North Division with nine games to play in the first half. It was the first time in 18 games this season that the BlueClaws won a game in which they had fewer hits than their opponents.
The BlueClaws have now won 14 of their last sixteen games and 16 of their last 19 games dating back to a six-game losing streak that ended on May 18. They have a chance for their second series sweep during the current hot run tomorrow at 1:05 p.m.
The BlueClaws were forced to twice rally out of early deficits, trailing 2-0 and 4-2. But each time the Shorebirds took a lead, the BlueClaws answered to tie the game in the bottom half of the same inning. Myers picked up a critical two-RBI triple in the second inning to tie the game, 2-2.
Mattair was responsible for both RBIs in the second rally, picking up a pair with a bases-loaded base hit in the third.
Jacob Diekman did not factor in the decision, despite giving up four earned runs in just five innings. He allowed eight hits and walked one, while striking out two, but departed the game with the score tied, 4-4.
Zach Britton did not fair much better in his starter for the Shorebirds. The left-hander lasted just three innings, giving up four runs, but just two earned. The Shorebirds defense again struggled on routine plays, committing two errors, leading to three unearned runs. The 'Birds (33-27) have made seven errors in the first three games of the series.
Chris Kissock and Joe Rocchio (3-6) shut down the Delmarva offense for the final four innings, each pitching a pair of scoreless innings.
Lakewood looks to join the Captains atop the North Division on Sunday with a series sweep over Delmarva and a Hagerstown victory over Lake County. Lakewood will take the field in the afternoon with Chance Chapman (3-4, 2.98) squaring off against Shorebirds starter Sean Gleason (2-0, 2.03). The Captains and Suns will play at 2:05 p.m. in Hagerstown.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 7, 2008
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- Suns HR Sinks Captains - Lake County Captains
- Drive Hitting, Defensive Miscues Cost T's In 7-3 Loss - Asheville Tourists
- Walk-off wild pitch caps 5-4 BlueClaws' win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Augusta Shuts Out Hickory On One-Hitter - Augusta GreenJackets
- BlueClaws victorious over Shorebirds - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Lexington can't overcome early 2-run homer - Lexington Legends
- Power hand Legends fourth consecutive loss - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Stanton Jumps Aboard Home Run Leader Board - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Intimidators Pitching Shuts Down Grasshoppers In 5-2 Victory - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Greensboro game notes - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Abraham Almonte Named as Reserve for SAL All-Star Game - Charleston RiverDogs
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