BlueClaws Battle Back, Fall 7-4 to Suns on Monday

LAKEWOOD, NJ - The BlueClaws battled from 4-0 down, cut their game with Hagerstown to 4-3, but ultimately dropped a 7-4 decision on Monday night at FirstEnergy Park.

Hagerstown, who improved to 17-27 on the season, has now taken all 10 meetings from the BlueClaws this year. Lakewood has dropped seven of their last eight games to fall to 16-27 on the year.

The Suns jumped out to a lead with a four-run second inning. With two outs, Jakson Reetz hit a two-run double over the head of right fielder Jose Pujols, and the next batter, Ryan Ripken, hit his first home run of the season to put the Suns up 4-0.

BlueClaws starter Jose Taveras came out after six innings, allowing four runs, all in the fourth.

The BlueClaws got back in the game, scoring three times in the eighth inning on a three-run home run by Jose Pujols, his league-leading ninth home run of the season to make it 4-3. Lakewood then got the next two on, but Jan Hernandez grounded into a double play and Brendan Hayden ground out to short to end the threat.

Hagerstown added three in the ninth off Robert Tasin, including two on a double by Matthew Page, to provide cushion in the ninth inning. Lakewood got one run in the ninth but Pujols grounded out to third to end the game.

Carlos Duran, Wilson Garcia, and Jan Hernandez all had two hits for the BlueClaws in the loss.

The series with Hagerstown continues on Tuesday night at 6:35 pm. LHP Tyler Gilbert (1-4) starts for Lakewood opposite RHP Jefry Rodriguez (3-2) of Hagerstown.

- BlueClaws -