Weird Hit Wins it for Lakewood

September 1, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release

LAKEWOOD, NJ - Travis Mattair hits a seventh-inning inside-the-park home run to break a 2-2 tie and win the game 3-2 for the Lakewood BlueClaws against the Hagerstown Suns on Tuesday night.

Mattair batted with one out in the seventh and sent a ball to the gap in left-center field which got all the way to the wall. Both the centerfielder Chris Curran and the left fielder Valario Heredia got to the wall to find the ball stuck in the wall padding. The fielders put their hands up waiting for a ground rule to be made as Mattair jogged around the bases, touched home and it was ruled a home run. The ball was easily plucked out of the wall.

Lakewood started well, as in the fourth the BlueClaws (32-30) struck for two runs as back-to-back doubles by Travis d'Arnaud and Jim Murphy scored a run and Mattair hit a sacrifice fly to center.

BlueClaws starter Trevor May got into trouble early with his control as he walked four in the first two innings, but settled down to go five innings and not allow a run in a game where he does not factor in the decision. May was relieved by Eryk McConnell (1-1), who allowed a two-run sixth to tie things up before settling to throw scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth.

The game was tied at two and Mattair's inside-the-park home run gave the BlueClaws the lead before Santo Hernandez came on in the ninth to work his fourth save of the season.

Suns (22-39) starter AJ Morris in his third straight start coming against the BlueClaws worked five innings as well and allowed two runs in a no decision. Ausin Garrett (4-5) came on in relief and allowed the home run and he takes the loss.

With the win, the series is now tied at one and the BlueClaws have won 15 of their 20 meetings this season.

The BlueClaws and the Suns will close out the regular season at FirstEnergy Park with the season finale at 7:05pm. For the BlueClaws, it will be Jesus Sanchez (10-6) on the mound and he will be opposed by Robinson Fabian (3-8).

South Atlantic League Stories from September 1, 2009

• Inside-The-Park Home Run Sinks Suns - Hagerstown Suns
• Grasshoppers spring past Crawdads in opener - Hickory Crawdads
• Rome Shutout Twice - Rome Emperors
• A Two-For-Tuesday For Kyeong Kang - Bowling Green Hot Rods
• Charleston Sweeps Tuesday Doubleheader From Rome - Charleston RiverDogs
• Huntzinger, Bullpen Halt Hot Rods, 3-0, for Drive's 12th Shutout - Greenville Drive
• West Virgina powers by Kannapolis, 7-3 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Asheville Comes Up Short In Game One - Asheville Tourists
• Leach Strong Again In Power Victory - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Pellegrini ties single-season HR mark in Legends win - Lexington Legends
• Pitching Earns GreenJackets Earn Key Twinbill Sweep - Augusta GreenJackets
• Weird Hit Wins it for Lakewood - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• GreenJackets Take Twin Bill - Savannah Sand Gnats
• McLouth to Rehab in Rome - Rome Emperors
• Tree Planting Scheduled for Wednesday - Rome Emperors
• Bolden promoted to AAA Oklahoma City - Hickory Crawdads
• GreenJackets Extend "Fan Appreciation Weekend" - Augusta GreenJackets
• BlueClaws Clinch 2009 Attendance Title - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Former Sand Gnat Josh Thole Called Up To New York - Savannah Sand Gnats
• RiverDogs Return Thursday for Final Homestand - Charleston RiverDogs
• Beckham Named South Atlantic League All-Star - Bowling Green Hot Rods

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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