Friday night, rehabbing Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz posted a 2-for-4 night and helped the A-Level Lakewood BlueClaws win against the Orioles affiliate Delmarva Shorebirds. Starting pitcher Brody Colvin, who had been excellent over his last 9 starts (1.90 ERA) pitched 5 innings without allowing an earned run, but earned a no decision in the match up. Colvin nearly worked out of a bases loaded jam in the 5th inning, when Delmarva first baseman Tyler Townsend dribbled what should have been an easy ground out back to Colvin, but the right-handed hurler failed to make an accurate throw to "The Boss" Jonathan Singleton and sent a throw sailing high over the first baseman's head. Two runners scored on the play. Colvin struck out the next batter Kieron Pope to escape without further damage.
Catcher Sebastian Valle drove home designated hitter Ruiz with a single in the 6th inning to cut the deficit in half. The BlueClaws tied things up in the 7th when Jonathan Villar tripled home Adam Buschini who led off the inning with a double.
Reliever Ebelin Lugo, who was sporting an ERA barely over 1 entering the game, served up a homer to Delmarva third baseman Ty Kelly to lead off the 8th, giving the Shorebirds the lead. Lakewood cracked back quickly in the bottom of the frame when Singleton led off with a walk and was brought home on a single up the middle by Stephen Batts off of Shorebirds pitcher Tom Phelps. The left fielder Batts would steal second, then advance to third on a throwing error by catcher Luis Bernardo. Phelps then fired a wild pitch by Bernardo to plate Batts with the run that would put the 'Claws ahead for good.
After the game, I spoke with BlueClaws manager Mark Parent about several subjects relating to the team, including Colvin's outing, Ruiz's impact on his young teammates, Jarred Cosart's injury, doctor visit & Futures Game attendance and Trevor May's return to Lakewood. Parent also gave some details on some transactions that will become official on Saturday. Check out the media player to listen to those comments.
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