Call doubles twice in loss at Lakewood

Third time the charm for BlueClaws Arauz against Kannapolis

By Josh Feldman

August 30, 2016

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (August 30, 2016) - Alex Call doubled twice and scored twice, but the BlueClaws used a 3-run third inning to beat the Intimidators, 3-2, on Tuesday at FirstEnergy Park. Call finished the game 2-for-4, joining Bradley Strong who also had two hits to pace the Kannapolis offense.

The Intimidators wasted little time getting on the board as Call led off the game with a double, and Seby Zavala's 2-out double scored Call for a 1-0 lead.

The BlueClaws leapfrogged the Intimidators with a 3-run third inning for a 3-1 lead. Lakewood loaded the bases off Intimidators starting pitcher Jimmy Lambert to chase him from the game. Wilson Garcia singled off Danny Dopico to drive in William Cuicas and Mark Laird to put Lakewood in front, 2-1, and Deivi Grullon followed with an RBI-base hit.

Harold Arauz (5-6) spun 6.0 innings for the BlueClaws to earn the win, limiting Kannapolis to two runs on four hits while striking out four and walking none. Arauz lost his first two starts against Kannapolis - both at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System - but used the home field to his advantage while improving 5-0 at FirstEnergy Park in 2016.

In the sixth, Call led off with a double, and Danny Mendick drove him in with an RBI-groundout.

Lambert (0-5) took the loss, allowing three runs in 2 and 2/3 innings. Lakewood's Sutter McLoughlin spun a scoreless ninth for the save (12) following two shutout frames from BlueClaws reliever Grant Dyer.

Kannapolis (31-33 Second Half, 55-79) dropped its third straight game while the first place BlueClaws reduced their magic number to four with six games left in the 2016 regular season.

The Intimidators continue this 3-game series against the BlueClaws on Wednesday as South Atlantic League ERA leader RHP Brannon Easterling (6-3, 2.01 ERA) takes the mound for Kannapolis against Lakewood's LHP Tyler Gilbert (7-8, 3.68 ERA) at 7:05 p.m.

The Intimidators open the 2017 regular season at home on Thursday, April 6, 2017, and full-season, half-season, and mini-plan ticket packages are currently available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or by visiting IntimidatorsBaseball.com.