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

Thursday, June 25

Delmarva 4
Lakewood 2
W: T. Keating (3-1); L: Jason Knapp (2-6); SV: B. Cooney (12)

Once again, Jason Knapp was the victim of poor run support. Knapp pitched well, if a bit wild, finishing with five innings pitched, three runs on three hits (two runs earned), four walks and eight strikeouts. Robert Roth and Ryan Bergh each pitched two innings of relief work, each allowing two hits and striking out one. Roth allowed one run in his two innings.

Offensively, the BlueClaws did not get much going in the game. While they did scatter eight hits between seven players, they were only able to muster two runs. Zach Collier was the only BlueClaw with multiple hits, going 2-4, while Anthony Gose hit a double for his only hit.

Friday, June 26 (Game suspended due to rain; completed on 6/27)

Lakewood 1
Delmarva 0
W: B.J. Rosenberg (5-2); L: S. Matthews (0-2)

In a duel between pitching staffs, Lakewood’s came out on top. Both teams only had four hits on the game, and the Cardiac Claws pulled out yet another win in the last frame, scoring the only run of the game in the bottom of the 9th.

Due to the rain, Jesus Sanchez only pitched three innings, allowing two hits and striking out one. Freddy Ballestas made his Lakewood debut when the game resumed, pitching a phenomenal five innings, only giving up two hits while striking out eight and walking none. B.J. Rosenberg pitched a scoreless, but empty (stat-wise), 9th inning, picking up the win.

Two of the BlueClaws hits came in the bottom of the 9th, staring with a lead-off single by Harold Garcia. He woul be brought home by a walkoff double off the bat of catcher Travis D’Arnaud, who picked up two of Lakewood’s four hits.

Saturday, June 27

Lakewood 3
Delmarva 2
W: Heitor Correa (5-2); L: C. Flagello (0-1)

In a shortened seven-inning game (due to the completion of the game suspended the prior day), the continued excellent pitching of Heitor Correa was the deciding factor in the BlueClaws 3-2 win. Correa pitched all seven innings for his second complete game of the season, allowing two runs on six hits, no walks and five strikeouts.

Offensively, the BlueClaws scored their three runs on eight hits, three of which game off the bat of Anthony Gose (3-3, 2B). Travis Mattair continued his hot streak with another hit, also collecting his second stolen base of the season. Two passed balls by Shorebirds catcher Brendan Monaghan resulted in runs in the 4th and 5th innings. Harold Garcia (1-2; RBI) added an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the 3rd.

Sunday, June 28

Delmarva 7
Lakewood 2
W: T. Keating (4-1); L: Jordan Ellis (0-1)

Despite scattering ten hits over the game, the BlueClaws offense was only able to capitalize for two runs. Trevor May pitched a solid six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out eight. Entering a 2-2 game in the 7th inning, reliever Jordan Ellis proceeded to blow the game wide open, allowing five runs over 1.2 innings of work on six hits, two walks and a homerun.

Anthony Gose and Brendan Akashian combined for six of the BlueClaws ten hits, collecting three apiece. Akashian added a double and an RBI to his 3-4 appearance. D’Arby Myers, who batted in the leadoff spot, went 1-5 on the night, scoring two runs.

Monday, June 29

Delmarva 13
Lakewood 9
W: O. Drake (4-4); L: Justin DeFratus (2-1)

In the rubber match of the 5-game series, Delmarva’s offense proved too much for Lakewood’s to overcome. Justin DeFratus, making his first start since taking Cloyd’s spot in the rotation, struggled in his three innings, allowing six hits and three runs, striking out two in the process. Robert Roth continued to struggle, allowing six runs in 2.1 innings. Ryan Bergh only fared marginally better taking over for Roth, allowing three of the inherited runners to score and allowing four runs (three earned) of his own on seven hits over 2.2 innings. The only pitcher to not allow a run for the BlueClaws was Jared Simon, making his Lakewood debut after a demotion from Clearwater.

Down 13-4 in the bottom of the 9th, the BlueClaws tried mounted a valiant comeback attempt, but the nine-run lead proved to be too much to overcome. Jim Murphy went 2-3 on the game, scoring twice, bringing in two runs, walking twice, also hitting a solo homerun. Travis Mattair hit 3-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Harold Garcia went 2-5 with a double, a run scored and two RBI. Troy Hanzawa also had two hits, with a double, a run scored, an RBI and a walk.

Tuesday June 30

Lakewood 7
Greensboro 4
W: Jordan Ellis (1-1); L: B. Evans (2-3); SV: B.J. Rosenberg (12)

Jason Knapp cannot win a game, it’s official. Despite pitching a great five innings, striking out twelve and only allowing one run on two hits and two walks, Jordan Ellis allowed three runs in the next two innings, blowing the save, but getting the win. B.J. Rosenberg picked up a six-out save, striking out three.

Jim Murphy went 2-4, hitting his eighth homerun on the season and his second in two days, a two-run shot. Murphy scored a run and racked up three RBIs. Harold Garcia had two hits with two RBI and a run scored. Travis D’Arnaud went 2-4 with a double, a run scored and a walk. Vladimir De Los Santos had two hits, scoring a run as well.