PhoulBallz.com

LAKEWOOD, NJ- In a game pushed back one day due to rain, it took until the very last at bat to decide who would have the advantage heading into the final day of the South Atlantic League Postseason, as the Phillies affiliate, the Lakewood BlueClaws, played host to the Red Sox affiliate, the Greenville Drive. The team affectionately known around the region as "The Cardiac 'Claws" locked down their 14th walk-off win of the season when mid-season All-star Jeremy Barnes singled to drive home the go ahead run that gave Lakewood a 2-1 win. In the home half of the 9th, Jiwan James led off with a single and was moved over the 2nd on a Michael Dabbs sacrifice bunt. Slugger Jonathan Singleton was intentionally walked, to set up a force play with one out. Lakewood catcher Sebastian Valle then flied out, setting the stage for Barnes' shining moment against Greenville reliever Dennis Neuman. "To have a walk-off hit in a game like this is huge. This is the highlight of my seas...

LAKEWOOD, NJ- In a game where minimal news worthy occurrences took place for the home team, the item most worth reporting turned out to be something that didn't happen. Pitcher Brody Colvin, who was named the starter for game 1 of the playoffs by manager Mark Parent this week, failed to back up third base on a triple by Augusta designated hitter Alexander Burg. Parent has a strict rule for pitchers...if they neglect their duties of backing up throws to the bases, their outing is done as soon as a reliever is ready to enter the game. It took reliever Luke Wertz just one at bat (Juan Martinez, who walked) to get loose, at which point he took over for Colvin. "It's a rule. You put your head down and start thinking about your own stuff...there's a place to be and a place to go and Colvin wasn't there," Parent stated after the game. "We're still developing people and that's just a rule of mine." Tuesday night's start against the Giants affili...

Another solid outing by starting pitcher Brody Colvin was not enough to lock down a victory as the BlueClaws began a homestand against the Orioles' Class A affiliate Delmarva in Lakewood on Thursday night. In his last start before his 20th birthday, Colvin cruised through the Shorebirds' lineup allowing just 2 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 6, in 5 innings in front of 6,149 fans at FirstEnergy Park. Colvin would allow an unearned run in the first inning, after right fielder Brian Conley doubled and first baseman Mike Flacco grounded a ball that Lakewood third baseman Stephen Batts couldn't handle. The ball was kicked away and Conley scored. Colvin's shine didn't dim after the defensive blunder, however, as he shut down 11 of the next 12 batters, allowing just 1 walk during that stretch. The BlueClaws had a tough time clapping back in the early going. To start the game, 7 of the first 10 Lakewood batters reached base, including two singles from lead-off man Jiwa...

Luke Wertz is a relief pitcher for the Phillies single A affiliate, the Lakewood BlueClaws. Drafted by the Phillies in the 13th round of the 2007 amateur draft, Wertz missed the entire 2008 season after he required shoulder surgery. He bounced back in 2009, spending time at Williamsport, prior to joining the BlueClaws late in the season for their playoff drive that ended in a South Atlantic League title. In 28 games this season, the 24-year-old Wertz has posted a 4-2 record with a 0.82 ERA. I spoke with Luke, a Colorado native, last weekend about his success this season, his outlook toward the 2010 playoffs, his fandom as a youngster and plenty more. Check out the media player below to listen to the full interview. ______________________________________ Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE .