Phuture Phillies

Coming back from the All-Star break and already assured of a playoff spot, the Lakewood BlueClaws set off on the second half of their season. They also came back without Tyler Cloyd – one of their two first-half aces – a seven game winner, and the SAL innings leader, who was promoted to the Clearwater Threshers. In their first week back, the Claws posted a record of 3-3, putting them in the middle of the pack in the young second half of the SAL North season.

Note: This will be an abbreviated report this week

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With tonight’s 8-3 victory over the Hagerstown Suns, the Lakewood BlueClaws are your SAL Northern Division First-Half Champions!

This gives them an automatic berth in the playoffs and home-field advantage for at least the first round.

Congratulations to the Lakewood BlueClaws players and staff!

Near the end of the first half of the season in the SAL, the BlueClaws find themselves exactly where they want to be: in first place in the SAL North, controlling their own destiny. With a three-game series against second place Delmarva, who, at the beginning of the series was only back by four games, the current condensed series taking place may play a big part in determining the first-half champions.

Having split the first two games of said series, the BlueClaws lead in the division remains at four games, and their magic number is now five with eight games left to play.  A win Tuesday in the final game of the series against Delmarva would go a long way in helping to sew up the first half championship, potentially decreasing the magic number to three.

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Almost two months into the 2009 SAL season, and the Lakewood BlueClaws find themselves right where they want to be – first place in the SAL North, one game ahead of the Delmarva Shorebirds.

This week the BlueClaws put up a 4-3 record against the 2008 SAL runners-up, the West Virginia Power, and the Greensboro Grasshoppers. Again, they lived and died by their pitching, as the BlueClaws offense averaged less than four runs a game (excluding one notable outlier).

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The BlueClaws were not able to put much together this week, as they went 2-4 in their six games. Their pitching, which had been the key to the team’s success faltered a bit as a whole, giving up thirty runs for the week.

Lakewood, at 13-10, currently sits tied with Delmarva, a half game back for the SAL Northern Division lead, behind Greensboro and Kannapolis.

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And your current 2009 SAL North Division Leaders…the Lakewood BlueClaws.

Wow, what a week. The BlueClaws won five and only lost one on the backs of tremendous starting pitching performances from promising prospects Jason Knapp, Tyler Cloyd and Jon Velasquez. After swapping games with the Lake County Captains in a rain-shortened two-game series, the ‘Claws swept the Hagerstown Suns in a home series and won the first game of a series at Delmarva.

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A week after being shown up by Delmarva at home in their opening series, the Lakewood BlueClaws took their show on the road with something to prove. And prove it they did, winning both their series against Lake County Captains and the Hagerstown Suns, going 4-2 on the week, and 5-2 on the roadtrip. The ‘Claws now sit at 6-5, third overall in the SAL Northern division, and two games back of the first-place Kannapolis Intimidators.

Monday was scheduled to have been the first game of their second series at home, facing the Captains again, however, Mother Nature decided to take pity on the BlueClaws and give them an unscheduled day off rather than making them play the full seventeen straight days their schedule had previously planned for them.

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Very busy week for me, sorry this is late. Busy getting our Little League going. This is short and sweet.

The Blue Claws went 4-3 this week; even the losses were very close games.Last Wednesday, The Blue Claws beat Hagerstown 6-5 behind Mike Durant’s 4-4 day with a double and home run. Lakewood scored three runs in the bottom of the 6^th with 4 straight two out hits. Taylor, Durant and Mattair all singled before Joel Naughton cleared the bases with a double. Tyson Brummett pitched well going 6ip, just 3hs and 1ER. Simon go the first of his 3 lucky wins this week. Thursday night the Blue Claws rapped out 11 hits to back Julian Sampson’s 5ip,6h, 2r, 2bb 4k effort. The Blue Claws won 7-5. Rizzotti, Taylor, Bolt, and Winn each had two hits. Simon got this second win in a row in relief. Friday, Lakewood’s bats went ice cold, only getting 3 hits in a 3-1 loss at Delmarva. Diekman pitched well, 6ip, 4 hits just one run with 3bb & 4ks. Saturday Delmarva won again, 2-1. Joel Naughton had 2 doubles and Chance Chapman went just 4 ip giving up 5 hits and one run. Rocchio got the loss in relief. On Sunday, the bats came back to life behind the solid effort of Drew Naylor, 7ip, 2r, 8k & just one bb. Naughton went 2 for 2 after pinch hitting; Kyle Bolt had 2 doubles to pace Lakewood. Yesterday, the Blue Claws were at Lake County, losing 5-4. Tyson Brummett went 6 innings, giving up 5h, 4 earned runs with 2 walks and 8 strikeouts. Michael Taylor had two hits including a home run.And earlier today Lakewood finished up their road trip with a 5-3 win. Julian Sampson went 7ip, givng up just 2 runs. Durant and Taylor kept going with their hot hitting with 2 hits a piece, Taylor’s were both doubles.

Who’s Hot ( through Monday)

Mike Taylor.364 with 4doubles
Mike Durant .325, 4 HR 8 RBI
Drew Naylor 3.18 era, 17ip 20k 3bb
Tyson Brummett 3.18, 17ip, 21k, 7bb

Who’s Not
Freddy Galvis .163
D’Arby Myers .162
Travis Mattair .143
Derrick Mitchell .118

Who’s Lucky
Jared Simon 3 wins in relief

From the Jersey Shore,
Bob Everett