Suns blanked by BlueClaws twice in four-game series loss
LAKEWOOD, NJ - The Hagerstown Suns (36-21, 80-47) got shutout by the Lakewood BlueClaws (22-35, 49-77) for the second time in four nights on Sunday evening, falling by a final of 9-0. Lakewood won the four-game series against the Suns three games to one.
On Sunday starting RHP Jon Prosinski (5-5) limited Hagerstown to seven hits in seven innings while striking out four to earn the win. RHP Delvi Francisco pitched the final two scoreless frames to complete the shutout. Offensively Lakewood plated seven runs in the second inning to take control early. Suns starter LHP Travis Ott (0-1), who was just called up from Auburn earlier in the day, lasted just 1.1 innings. In his Suns debut he suffered the loss, getting charged for five earned runs on five hits and one walk. Hagerstown used a total of four pitchers in the contest.
In the third game of the series on Saturday night catcher Spencer Kieboom broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning with a single up the middle with the bases loaded, driving in two to give Hagerstown the lead for good. The Suns went on to win 4-2 to pick up their only win in the series. Starting RHP Lucas Giolito (10-2) tossed five innings, surrendering one earned run on seven hits while striking out five to collect his sixth consecutive win and his eighth win in his last nine outings. Starting RHP Tyler Viza (3-16) gave up three earned runs on seven hits over 5.1 innings as he wound up with the loss for Lakewood. LHP David Napoli picked up his fifth save for the Suns, throwing a scoreless ninth.
In game two of the series on Friday night the BlueClaws scored five runs in the first three innings, and wound up winning by a final margin of 6-4. The score was knotted at 4-4 heading to the bottom of the third, when catcher Andrew Knapp hit a one-out double to right field. He moved to third on a single, and scored what wound up being the winning run on a sacrifice fly to center field. RHP Julio Reyes (3-4) combined with two other Lakewood relievers to keep Hagerstown off the board after the third inning. Reyes picked up the win, working 1.2 innings in relief and allowing just one hit while striking out two. Starting RHP Wander Suero (3-1) suffered the loss for the Suns. He pitched five innings, giving up five runs (four earned) on 12 hits and one walk while striking out four. RHP Nick Rodesky threw the final inning for the BlueClaws to record his first save of the year.
In the first game of the series on Thursday night the Suns suffered a rain-shortened 8-0 loss. The game was halted after just six innings, resulting in Hagerstown's first shutout defeat since game two of a double-header on June 13 against Greenville. Starting RHP Nick Pivetta (12-8) surrendered four earned runs on nine hits including one homer over five innings, as he got tagged with the loss for the Suns. Starting RHP Ranfi Casimiro (5-9) pitched a complete game for Lakewood. He allowed just two hits over six innings, walking six and striking out three. The win was Casimiro's first in six starts against Hagerstown this year.
In total Lakewood outscored Hagerstown 25-8 over the course of the series, and the BlueClaws out-hit the Suns 52-31. The Suns next return home to Municipal Stadium to begin a three-game series with the Greensboro Grasshoppers (35-22, 79-48), which starts on Tuesday, August 19. First pitch on Tuesday is scheduled for 7:05pm.