The BlueClaws did collect eight hits, including two in the same inning on three separate occasions. But real chances were few and far between, with the best chance to score not coming until the eighth inning against reliever John Gaub. Freddy Galvis tried to score from second base on a base hit from Tim Kennelly, but the Lakewood shortstop was thrown out at home plate by Adam White in centerfield.
Lakewood's lack of offense meant a tough-luck loss for starter Mike Cisco. The 2008 draft selection did not allow an earned run in his fifth straight start, but a Matt Rizzotti error led to a fifth inning unearned run. Cisco (2-1) allowed three hits and did not walk a batter in five innings. He also struck out five.
Cisco's control has been nearly perfect in his time with Lakewood. In 28 innings with the BlueClaws, Cisco has not walked a single hitter.
Any chances for a comeback were made more difficult by a pair of runs scored by Lake County in the seventh. With Walter Tejeda on the mound, Karexon Sanchez drove in two runs with a two-out double. Both runners that scored reached via a walk from Tejeda, who had not pitched in over a week before two innings on Sunday.
Gaub slammed the door in the ninth inning, striking out the side for his second save of the season. The Captains reliever stuck out five in his two innings of work.
West Virginia will not take the field until later Sunday night. At the time of the final out, the BlueClaws trailed the Power by three full games with eight games remaining for both teams in the regular season.
The BlueClaws next challenge will be at FirstEnergy Park on Monday night at 7:05, when the 'Claws (38-24, 76-56) welcome in Delmarva for a three game series. Vance Worley (2-1) will take the mound for Lakewood, while the Shorebirds will send their ace Sean Gleason (11-1) to the hill.