Intimidators Use Four-Run Fifth, Top Claws 7-3

LAKEWOOD, NJ - Bradley Strong and Kyle Ruchim each drove in two runs for Kannapolis, who scored four times in the top of the fifth inning to top the BlueClaws 7-3 on Friday night at FirstEnergy Park.

The Intimidators (24-44) snapped an eight-game losing streak while the BlueClaws (27-40) fell to 3-2 on their seven-game homestand. The teams have split the first two games of their first-half concluding four-game series.

The BlueClaws took the lead in the second inning on a two-run single by Grenny Cumana that put Lakewood up 2-0, before the Intimidators got one back in the fourth on a SAC fly by Seby Zavala.

Kannapolis took the lead with four runs in the top of the fifth inning. They tied the game on an RBi single by Bradley Strong and took the lead on Kyle Ruchim's two-run double to deep left-center. Landon Lasster added a SAC fly that put Kannapolis up 5-2.

Lakewood starter Jose Taveras (2-6) gave up five runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings with one walk and five strikeouts. Kannapolis starter Luis Martinez (2-6), who earned the win, came out after five innings, allowing two runs on five hits.

After the Intimidators added two more runs in the sixth, Jose Pujols hit his 11th home run of the year in the bottom of the sixth. Pujols is second in the league, one off West Virginia's Tito Polo and Delmarva's Alex Murphy for the league lead. That run, however, was the last run the BlueClaws would score.

Jiandido Tromp had four hits for the BlueClaws while Jan Hernandez had two.

Luis Morales gave up two runs in 3.2 innings of relief and Robert Tasin threw a scoreless ninth inning for Lakewood in the loss.

The series with Kannapolis continues on Saturday night at 7:05. RHP Luke Leftwich (6-3) starts for Lakewood against RHP Chris Comito (1-6).

- BlueClaws -