Skip to main content

BlueClaws take playoff lead behind clutch efforts

d-tomscha
Damek Tomscha, image- Jay Floyd


LAKEWOOD, NJ-- It had been 2181 days since the Lakewood BlueClaws played in the postseason. It was worth the wait as the BlueClaws took a 1-0 lead on Wednesday night in the best-of-three South Atlantic League division series against the Hagerstown Suns (Nationals affiliate) by a score of 6-1 behind excellent relief pitching and clutch hitting.

Shortstop Emmanuel Marrero notched the first of his three hits in the 5th inning to tie the game at one run apiece. In the same frame, third baseman Damek Tomscha stroked a two-run ground rule double down the right field line to put the BlueClaws ahead 3-1.

"That's exactly what he's done all year," BlueClaws skipper Shawn Williams stated of the righty batting Tomscha. "Seems like he's always up in a big situation and that's what he does- he comes through with a big hit."

Those runs would be enough as the Lakewood bullpen was strong. It was righty reliever Grant Dyer that tossed three scoreless frame to earn the victory. He was followed on the mound with a scoreless frame from both lefty Zach Morris and righty closer Sutter McLoughlin.

"For me, it's great to watch," said Williams. "You have these guys that are staying pretty consistent and aren't really fazed by a playoff game and they showed it tonight."

Marrero, the BlueClaws' nine-hole hitter would later add another run-scoring hit in the 6th inning. First baseman Wilson Garcia and catcher Deivi Grullon also knocked in runs with singles in the 7th.

Lakewood starting pitcher Alberto Tirado, who had a 7-1 record with a 2.50 ERA in 12 regular season games since the All-Star break, pitched just four innings in the postseason opener. Allowing one run, the righty's pitch count was high as he threw 81 pitches, 48 of those for strikes.

Hagerstown will host game two (and three, if necessary) when the series resumes on Friday night at Municipal Stadium.

Playoff action elsewhere-

The Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs dropped their International League playoff opener against the Scranton Wilkes-Barre by a score of 2-0. Righty Ben Lively tossed 7 2/3 innings allowing two earned runs on five hits, two walks and eight strike outs, to take the loss. The 'Pigs notched just four hits in the losing effort.

The Double-A Reading Fightin Phils lost their playoff opener in the Eastern League with a 3-2 loss at Trenton. Right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. (7IP, 5 hits allowed, 3 runs/2 earned, two walks, 10 strike outs) was tagged with the loss. Slugger Dylan Cozens collected two hits, a walk and drove in a run.

The rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies lost the deciding game of their best-of-three title series on Wednesday.  Top draft pick Mickey Moniak missed games two and three of the series with an apparent hip issue but is expected to play in the Florida Instructional League later this month.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly.  On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne.  The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska.  In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be.  He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line.  And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line.  He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

RHP Pipkin headed to AFL after hot August

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage.   Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August.  Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH.   Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve