'Claws win in 12th

After allowing Kannapolis to tie the game at 3-3 in the 8th inning, the BlueClaws steadied the ship and posted a 5-3, 12-inning win over the Intimidators. Lets start with the pitching. Chance Chapman, who has really shown flashes of excellence on occasion this young season, was great for 7 innings allowing just 1 run (on a 1st inning home run by Jim Gallagher) on 6 hits, NO walks and reduced his ERA to 2.61. Chris Kissoock gave up the 2 tying runs on a home run by Ronnie Gaines, who was playing his first game of the year for Kannapolis. Joe Rocchio (2.70) threw 3 hit less frames to pick up his 2nd win of the season. Derrick Mitchell had 2 hits and a walk, and the game winning RBI, and seems to be getting some breaks after an April in which every time he hit the ball hard, it was right at somebody. Good to see him continue to have a good approach. Michael Durant (.277, 19th RBI) and Travis Mattair also had 2 hits apiece as Lakewood improved to 17-17 on the year. They trail first place Lake County by just 4 games. Drew Naylor (2-2, 2.25) should get the ball Saturday.