Charles blasts BlueClaws past Suns

HAGERSTOWN, M.D. - Arthur Charles's two-run homerun in the top of the seventh lifted the Lakewood BlueClaws (3-9) over the Hagerstown Suns (6-6), 5-1, at Municipal Stadium on Monday night. The homerun was the second for Charles this season and broke a 1-1 tie.

 

The BlueClaws also put up two runs in the ninth to put the game away. With the bases loaded and two outs, CF Carlos Tocci hit a groundball to short, but SS Hunter Bailey's throw to first was low and could not be picked by 1B Shawn Pleffner, allowing one run to score and Tocci to reach first. Then Pleffner threw low to home to try and prevent another run from scoring, but his throw got past catcher Craig Manuel, allowing the second run to indeed score and make it a 5-1 game.

 

Lakewood scored its first run in the second when Charles doubled to center field to lead off the frame. A wild pitch by Suns starter RHP Dixon Anderson (1-1) allowed Charles to move to third, and he scored when 3B Mitch Walding grounded out to second

 

The one Hagerstown run scored in the fourth. Third baseman Mike McQuillan hit a one-out triple to right. The next batter, LF Estarlin Martinez, brought McQuillan home with a double to left. McQuillan and Martinez combined for four of the Suns five hits.

 

Anderson was charged with the loss, going 6.2 innings and surrendering three earned runs on three hits while striking out nine without walking a batter. Starting RHP Josh Warner (1-1) picked up the win for Lakewood. He threw six innings, giving up one earned run on three hits, walking four and striking out three.

 

The Suns continue their three game series with the BlueClaws on Tuesday April 15. Hagerstown will send RHP Ivan Pineyro (0-1) to the mound for his third start of the season. He will square off against RHP Shane Watson (0-0) for Lakewood. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm.