Cozens Homers, But Claws Fall 6-2

LAKEWOOD, NJ - Frank Lopez and Jose Monegro combined on a five hitter and Luis Marte went 3-4 as Hickory opened the final series of the season at FirstEnergy Park with a 6-2 win on Tuesday night. 

Lopez (4-3) gave up two runs on four hits in five innings while Monegro, who earned his first save, retired 12 of the 13 hitters he faced in the win. 

The loss drops the BlueClaws to 50-81 on the season and 31 games under .500 for the first time in franchise history. 

Lakewood, who has now lost three straight games, scored their only two runs on a two-run home run by Dylan Cozens in the 2nd inning to go up 2-0. The home run was Cozens' 16th of the season and 30th as a professional. 

Hickory responded with three runs in the second inning on an RBI single by Evan Van Hoosier, an RBI single by Ronald Guzman, and an errant pick-off throw by pitcher Tyler Viza. They added two more in the 4th on an RBI single by Marte and a double-steal on which Marte scored from third. 

Viza (3-17) gave up five runs, four earned, in 3.2 innings of work. Julio Reyes allowed an unearned run in 3.1 innings while Jesen Therrien struck out four over two scoreless innings. 

The series continues on Wednesday night. RHP Jon Prosinski (5-5, 3.68) opposes LHP Yohander Mendez (3-0, 1.33) at 7:05. The BlueClaws and Crawdads will play Wednesday and Thursday nights in the final two BlueClaws home games of the season. 

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