LAKEWOOD, NJ – The “Cardiac Claws” get a run in the ninth to tie and win it in the tenth on a single by Jeremy Hamilton to defeat the West Virginia Power by the score of 3-2. The win gives the Lakewood BlueClaws a 5-3 homestand and a 3-1 series win.
The BlueClaws got out to an early lead, but wasted opportunities in the beginning of the game as starter Duke Welker walked six in the first three innings. The BlueClaws got their first run in the first as Anthony Gose walked and stole a bag before Jim Murphy grabbed his 23rd RBI of the season with a smash double to left field.
Jason Knapp started for the BlueClaws and pitched well after a pair of rough appearances at home in his last two outings. However, he was touched up for single runs in the fourth and fifth as he allowed leadoff runners to score in both innings. Greg Picart scored after doubling to start the fourth and Jeremy Farrell scored after a leadoff single in the fifth. Knapp went six and allowed those two runs and five hits while striking out only four.
In the ninth, the BlueClaws began their comeback as Troy Hanzawa singled to leadoff the inning before advancing to second on a pickoff attempt. He got to third as D’Arby Myers laid down a bunt that was not fielded properly by the Power, also allowing Myers to reach. Garcia hit a deep fly ball to left, that the ballpark barely held, which allowed Hanzawa to score and tie the game at two.
In the tenth, Travis d’Arnaud reached on a throwing error and advanced to second before D’Arby Myers bunted him to third and also reached base. Travis Mattair went down before Hamilton got the game winner on a line drive single to left centerfield.
Welker went just 4.2 innings and was very wild, he walked seven batters and threw four wild pitches but only allowed one run. The BlueClaws could not take advantage of the free passes and bases and it almost cost them. Owen Brolsma finished the fifth and pitched the sixth before giving way to Ryan Kelly who pitched in the seventh and eighth. Eddie Pena (1-1) allowed the unearned game winner for his first loss.
Knapp was relieved in the seventh by Ryan Airail who did well to work three clean innings to bridge the gap to BJ Rosenberg (4-1) who picked up the win in a clean tenth inning.
The BlueClaws went 5-3 during their eight-game homestand and are 10-6 in the first 16 games of their 24 games in 24 day stretch. The BlueClaws are nine games over .500 for the first time this season.
That stretch will continue on Saturday as the BlueClaws begin the first of another eight game road swing, beginning with four with the Greensboro Grasshoppers. The contest, which will start at 7:05, will feature Heitor Correa (1-1) against lefty Brad Hand (2-5). Correa has been a nice addition to the BlueClaws rotation as he has maintained a 2.40 ERA since taking over for the injured Rob Roth on May 3rd.