The loss coupled with a comeback 8-7 victory for the West Virginia Power in game one of their doubleheader with Kannapolis officially ended the BlueClaws quest for the postseason. The BlueClaws (39-27, 77-59) still hold the best overall record in the North Division.
The BlueClaws got very little going offensively over the first eight innings. Cole Kimball allowed just two hits in seven innings of work and that was the Lakewood total heading to the bottom of the ninth. Kimball, who was making his sixth start of the season against the BlueClaws, put together one of his best starts of the 2008 campaign on Friday night. The right- hander allowed just one run and walked two while striking out six.
Lakewood got on the board with their first hit. Matt Rizzotti doubled to leftfield, scoring Herman Demmink from first base in the fourth inning. Lakewood did not score again until the bottom of the ninth.
Tim Kennelly made it interesting in the final frame, driving in Travis D'Arnaud to cut it to a three-run deficit. Lakewood finished the game with just four hits.
Mike Cisco pitched a career-high seven innings and also struck out a career-best seven. The right-hander did give up the first earned run in his six starts this season, but was brilliant otherwise. Mark Gildea brought home the only run against Cisco, driving in Travis Reagan with a base hit with two outs in the fifth inning.
The game was played in front of the largest crowd of the season and second largest crowd in franchise history. 10,027 fans were in attendance to take in the final home game of the regular season.
Ryan Harrison (4-2) came in and pitched the final two innings to take the win for the Suns.
While the loss marked the final home game of the season, the BlueClaws still have three games remaining in Delmarva. The 'Claws will send Vance Worley(2-2) to the mound for the series opener in a rematch with Delmarva starter Sean Gleason (12-1).