Walk-off wild pitch wraps up 6-5 BlueClaws win
Published on June 20, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, N.J. - Julian Sampson fired six LAKEWOOD, N.J. - Alberto Cambero scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the BlueClaws a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Lake County Captains on Friday night at FirstEnergy Park.
Tied at five entering the ninth inning, Travis Mattair led off the BlueClaws half with a base hit into centerfield off of All Star reliever Dallas Cawiezell (2-5). Cambero, who was added to the BlueClaws roster prior to the day's game, was brought in to pinch run. He advanced to second on a Freddy Galvis sacrifice and moved the final 180 feet on a pair of wild pitches with Joel Naughton at the plate.
It was the third walk-off win for the BlueClaws this season and the second courtesy of a wild pitch. The BlueClaws claimed a walk-off victory thanks to a wild pitch on June 7 against Delmarva.
The winning run marked the first time that the BlueClaws had led in the ballgame. They fell behind on three separate occasions, but each time battled back to tie the game, before finally taking the lead and the win in the ninth.
The late offense bailed out starter Jacob Diekman, who was hit around for five earned runs in five innings. The 21-year old southpaw did not factor in the decision, despite leaving the game with his team trailing 5-3.
The bullpen helped to bail Diekman out, firing four hitless innings. Moises Melendez was first in relief, pitching 2 1/3 innings while facing the minimum seven hitters. He did allow a walk, but quickly picked the runner off at first base.
Zack Sterner (4-0) followed Melendez' lead with 1 2/3 perfect baseball, retiring all five hitters that he faced.
The strong relief outing gave the BlueClaws offense enough time to rally and eventually claim the victory. Lakewood (2-0, 40-32) evened the game 5-5 with two runs in the sixth inning, though both went as unearned against reliever Jonathan Holt. Captains third baseman Karexon Sanchez committed two errors in the frame, including a wide throw that allowed the tying run to cross the plate.
The 'Claws did manage three runs against Lake County starter Ryan Morris. Morris, who entered the game 6-1 on the season, looked unusually hittable, giving up five hits. He also walked two and struck out four.
The win helped the BlueClaws reach the 40-win mark in the fewest games in team history. It also evened a previously one-sided season series with the Captains (0-2, 41-31) at seven games apiece.
Lakewood will look to wrap us a series win on Saturday night at FirstEnergy Park at 7:05. Walter Tejeda (3-2) will make his return from the disabled list for the BlueClaws, while Joey Mahalic (3-2) will make a spot start in the place of the now promoted Kelvin De La Cruz for the Captains.
Wrestling legend Mick Foley will be on hand at FirstEnergy Park to meet with fans and sign autographs, thanks to County Line Hardware. He will also be taking part in a hair donation event on the field prior to the game.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 20, 2008
- Suns take second straight - Hagerstown Suns
- Braves roll to big victory - Rome Emperors
- Walk-off wild pitch wraps up 6-5 BlueClaws win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Drive Edge Crawdads, 5-4, Behind Solid Bullpen Effort - Greenville Drive
- GreenJackets blanked at home - Augusta GreenJackets
- Suns roll over Shorebirds - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Legends falter by six - Lexington Legends
- Quinn Stewart Prepares for Bark in the Park - Columbus Catfish
- 'Power'less against Intimidators; West Virginia falls 5-2 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Intimidators grab 5-2 win - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Stephens to Tampa, Pruitt to Staten Island; Chigges, Cuello Join Team - Charleston RiverDogs
- Autographed SAL All-Star Jerseys Up For Bid on eBay - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- "Think Pink" Silent Auction Raises Nearly $4,000 for Charity - Lexington Legends
- RiverDogs Five-Game Homestand to Begin June 23rd - Charleston RiverDogs
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