BlueClaws Score Late, Down Intimidators 3-2 for First Win
April 6, 2013 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, NJ - Carlos Tocci drove home the go-ahead run in the eighth and Felix Santos closed out the ninth inning as the Lakewood BlueClaws (1-2) locked up its first win of the season, 3-2, over the Kannapolis Intimidators (2-1) Saturday evening at FirstEnergy Park. The win marks the first of the 2013 campaign for Lakewood.
With two down in the bottom of the eighth, Mitch Walding battled with Kannapolis righty Joe Dvorsky and won the battle with a double into the left field corner. Tocci followed with a single to shallow left and Walding scored the go-ahead run as the throw escaped the grasp of the catcher Zachary Fisher.
However, the game would not finish without drama, as Santos hit the leadoff man Kale Kiser to begin the top of the ninth. The righty regained composure and retired the next two hitters on pop outs to Walding at third, before Jason Coats stepped up.
With Kiser on second, after a steal, Coats ripped a single to right that was fielded by Brian Pointer. Kiser attempted to score on the single, but was thrown out on a one-hopper to the plate by Pointer that was corralled by the catcher Chad Carman, who then applied the tag in time to cut down the tying run and end the game.
The night started as a pitcher's duel, as Shane Watson tossed four perfect innings to being his first outing of 2013. The perfect run came to an end with an infield single off the bat of first baseman Rangel Ravelo, who was then eliminated by a 4-unassisted-3 double play.
The BlueClaws broke up Brandon Brennan's start of three perfect innings with Roman Quinn's leadoff bunt single in the fourth. With two on and two out in the frame, it was Walding that hit a single to left that plated both Quinn and Pointer and gave the BlueClaws a 2-0 lead.
The Intimidators picked up a run in the 6th off of Watson, on Kiser's sacrifice fly to left that plated Michael Johnson from third. The 40th pick of the 2012 Draft finished his inaugural start after the sixth and allowed just the one run on two hits, he did not walk a batter and struck out four.
Santos struggled in his first inning of work and allows a run to Kannapolis without the benefit of a hit in the seventh. Adam Heisler walked, moved to second on a wild pitch, went to third on a ground out to the right side and came around to score on another wild pitch from the righty.
Deborah Heart and Lung Center Player of the Game: Carlos Tocci: 2-for-4, RBI - GW RBI single in the 8th
Brian Pointer: threw out game tying run at home plate to end the game
The Lakewood BlueClaws and Kannapolis Intimidators are scheduled to square off for the final game of the series, Sunday afternoon at 1:05 at FirstEnergy Park. The Intimidators will send RHP Jake Cose (0-0, -.--) to the mound and the BlueClaws will counter with RHP Kevin Brady (0-0, -.--). $1 Tickets are still available for the game, presented by the Asbury Park Press. The night will feature a schedule cup giveaway thanks to Waterside Gardens, and will mark the end of the silent auctions for the Restore the Shore jerseys.
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