CHARLESTON, WV – The Lakewood BlueClaws struggled to find outs in the third inning and failed in their attempt to sweep the West Virginia Power as a five-run third turned into a 6-1 win for the Power (14-26) on Thursday night, ending the BlueClaws (23-16) four game win streak and their eight game road swing.
In the third inning the leadoff batter Josue Peley walked to lead the inning off, before back-to-back errors by Troy Hanzawa and Travis d’Arnaud loaded the bases for the Power. Chase d’Arnaud then singled, followed by a Bobby Spain single and another single by Erik Huber aided the Power to five runs and the large advantage.
The BlueClaws only scored one on a sacrifice fly as they could not figure out Power starter Kyle McPherson (3-1) who went two outs into the seventh inning and picked up his second win of the year. He allowed just four hits and one run while striking out three for the win.
BlueClaws starter Jesus Sanchez (1-3) picked up the loss and went six innings, the longest outing of his career and pitched well aside from the fifth inning. He was charged with three earned runs and nine hits over his six innings as he only walked one and struck out three. Ryan Ariail continued the BlueClaws bullpen dominance as he did not allow a run in two innings of work.
The loss dropped the BlueClaws to seven games over .500 but will still remain in first place before second-place Greensboro arrives in Lakewood for a four game series. The BlueClaws went 5-3 on their road swing and will return home for eight straight games, four with Greensboro and four with the Power.
The first game will start at 7:05 with Jon Velasquez (5-1) on the mound for the BlueClaws. He will be opposed by a fellow five-game winner in Johnny Dorn (5-1) in what should be a Memorial Day weekend filled with great action between the South Atlantic Leagues top two teams.