BlueClaws Bullpen Not So Lucky on Friday the 13th

The BlueClaws (4-5) dropped game two of their series vs. the Delmarva Shorebirds (8-1) 5-1.  Both starting pitchers showed strong command with Spenser Howard tossing 5 innings and allowing just 4 hits and a run for the Claws and Matthias Dietz who went six innings allowing four hits and one earned run for the Shorebirds.

Dan Brito and Nick Maton each had two hits for the BlueClaws who could only muster one run facing three Shorebirds pitchers.

The game was scoreless heading into the fourth when Delmarva’s Ben Breazeale crossed the plate on clean-up hitter and third baseman Trevor Craport single.

The BlueClaws bounced back in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game when Quincey Nieporte scored on Nick Maton’s double.

The pitching duel continued into the seventh when Craport got the Shorebirds going with a single and back to back singles by Ryan Ripken and Frank Crinella plated two runs giving Delmarva the lead for good.

In the ninth, Shorebirds Zach Jarret went deep to move the final score to 5-1 Shorebirds.  Dietz (2-0) was credited with the win and Juan Garcia (0-1) took the loss for Lakewood.

The teams will play tall ball on Saturday 4:05pm at First Energy Park.  BlueClaws will hand the ball over to 6’ 5” lefty Damon Jones, who’s in his first year with Lakewood and the Shorebirds will counter with a 6’ 5” pitcher of their own, righty Brian Hanifee.

Today’s game will be played in summer like conditions temperature expected to be 70 degrees at game time, which is a welcome relief to the teams, as the 2018 season has begun with some rather unseasonable weather.  So, gather the family and enjoy America’s pastime, because the future forecast indicates today’s sunshine may not be here for long.

The Shorebirds have opened the season red hot sporting an 8-1 record.  Lakewood hopes to claw back to a .500 record and take the three-game series.

See you at the game!