After dropping 4 of their first 5 games, the Lakewood BlueClaws were looking for something to turn the early season around. On a chilly, drizzly night at First Energy Park, the reversal resounded off the hot bat of big Michael Durant. The Lakewood DH was 4 for 4, including a double and his second home run of the season, to pace an 11-hit attack and lead the BlueClaws to a 6-5 win over Hagerstown.
There was a lot of action and it started early. In the bottom of the first inning, Michael Taylor (2 for 4, 2b, RBI, .348) doubled in Freddy Galvis to give the 'Claws the first run of the game. It was the first time in the 6 games this year Lakewood scored first. Durant followed with his first hit of the night, a blistering line drive into right field. As the ball got to right fielder Michael Burgess, manager Steve Roadcap waved Taylor around third. Taylor arrived at home plate the same time the ball did, and he did what he had to do. Taylor (6'6", 250 lbs) lowered his shoulder and flattened catcher Sean Rooney. Rooney went down hard, but held onto the ball. He didn't move for a few minutes as the force of the blow smacked the back of his head on the ground, but eventually got up and walked off under his own power. It was a clean hit, and anyone who says Taylor should have slid doesn't understand how this game is played. The only chance he had to score was to knock the ball loose. It was the toughest collision I have seen in Lakewood, but NOT a dirty play.
After Steve Englund deposited one on the top of the berm in right field off starter Tyson Brummett , who pitched well enough to win (6 IP, 1 Earned run, 3 hits, 3 walks, 8 strike outs), Durant was at it again. He trumped Englund's shot with a monster blast into the center field picnic area for his 2nd home run of the year and Lakewood regained the lead 2-1.
Lakewood rallied again in the 6th. After 2 outs, Taylor started things again with a single and stole second. Durant picked up his third hit, a hustle single on a slow grounder to second, to put runners at the corners. Moose Mattair promptly singled home Taylor, and then Joel Naughton collected his first hit of the year, a booming double in the gap in right center to score Durant and Mattair, and the 'Claws led 5-1. Chance Chapman relieved Brummet and faced only 3 hitters, giving up 2 hits and a walk, and before Yen-Feng Lin could retire the side, all 3 of the runners scored. Lin gave up another run in the 8th as the Suns tied the game at 5, but it could have been worse if not for 2 web gems by first baseman Karl Bolt. This set the stage for the winning rally in the bottom of the 8th.
With 1 out, Durant doubled to the gap in left center, and Herman Demmink went in to run for him. Durant left the field to a rousing ovation, and Demmink scored the winning run on a 2-out single by Naughton. Jared Simon retired the Suns 1-2-3 in the ninth and the BlueClaws had a much needed victory.
The BlueClaws were the only team in the Phillies system to win last night. The big club took it on the chin, 8-2 to the Mets. After beating them 9 straight times, I guess New York was due. Kyle Kendrick continued his spring funk. Although victimized by poor fielding behind him, Kyle walked 6, gave up 4 hits, and was not able to get out of third inning ( 7 runs, only 1 earned). Carlos Ruiz had a double and an RBI in 4 at bats, and Ryan Howard was also 1 for 4 (2 K's). Ryno is struggling, hitting just .188 so far.
The IronPigs are wallowing at 0-8, falling again to Pawtucket, 2-0. Lehigh Valley has not scored more than 3 runs in any game yet. The best news for HomeSiders in the International League was Mike Costanzo's 3-run double in Norfolk's 7-2 win over Rochester. Chris Roberson chipped in with single and a walk in 4 at bats, scoring a run on the Costanzo hit. Randy Ruiz was 1 for 4 for Rochester. More bad news for Eude Brito last night in Columbus. Eude was called into the game in the 11th inning, after his team had fallen behind, needing to get only 1 out. Before he could get it, he gave up a walk and 3 hits, including a 3-run homer to Chris Richard of Durham and was charged with 4 runs. Ugh!!
In Bowie, Reading dropped a 3-2 decision to the Baysox. The R-Phils got only 6 hits, 2 from Greg Golson (.333), who returned to the line-up after sitting out a game with a sore foot. The foot must be OK, Golson stole base #7 without being caught yet. Mike Spidale (.357), Jeremy Slayden (double), and Brad Harman (single, 2 walks, scored both runs) also contributed. Joey Hammond picked up the last hit (as well as 2 walks), and is leading the team with a .438 mark. Josh Outman was the hard luck loser, throwing 6 innings and giving up 2 runs (only 1 earned), striking out 8. Will Savage pitched the last 2, giving up a run on a home run by Ryan Finan.
A rough night in Clearwater, also, as the Fort Myers Miracle punished the Threshers, 9-3. Adrian Cardenas (.448) had 3 hits for Clearwater and Quintin Berry picked up a double, 2 walks, and an RBI. Darren Byrd struggled with his control, giving up 6 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits and 5 walks in just 2.2 innings of work. Nate Johnson tossed 3.1 frames, allowing just 1 run, but Andrew Cruse gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks in just 2 innings (deuces wild!). Matt German pitched a scoreless 9th.
In Houston last night, Michael Bourn picked up a double and an RBI in the Astros' 6-4 loss to St. Louis. Bourn is batting .216, with 6 steals in 6 tries, and playing everyday. He is too good a player to be down for long. The HomeSide is behind you, Mike!!
HomeSiders near Moosic, Pa. might want to go to the Louisville-Scranton game tonight as Matt Maloney gets the ball for the Bats against the Yankees.
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