BlueClaws Fall Short 5-4 on Wednesday As Crawford Extends Hitting Streak

ABERDEEN, MD - Aberdeen topped the BlueClaws 5-4 on Wednesday night at Leidos Field as the BlueClaws dropped their fourth straight game. Jersey Shore CF Justin Crawford extended his hitting streak to 10 games in the loss.

With their fourth straight loss, the BlueClaws fell to 8-9 on the year, under .500 for the first time in 2024 while Aberdeen improved to 8-9 with their second straight win to start the series.

The BlueClaws opened the scoring early. Justin Crawford walked, stole second, and scored on a base hit by Leandro Pineda.

Aberdeen, however, responded with a run in the bottom of the first on a SAC fly from Mac Horvath. Reed Trimble singled home a run in the third to put them ahead 2-1 before Otto Kemp brought home Crawford with a SAC fly in the third to tie the game.

Crawford had tripled, and in the process extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

The IronBirds re-claimed the lead with three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Horvath tripled in a run, and Creed Willems and Jalen Vasquez followed with RBI singles to push the lead to 5-2.

Jersey Shore rallied to within one on Felix Reyes' RBI single in the sixth and a SAC fly in the eighth from Leandro Pineda.

Deivy Cruz, who got the last two outs of the eighth, threw a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save. Preston Johnson (1-1) earned the win, allowing one unearned run in four innings of relief.

BlueClaws starter Jean Cabrera (2-1) went five innings and was charged with five runs, three earned, with four strikeouts and one walk.

The teams continue their series on Thursday night at 7:05 pm. The BlueClaws return home on Tuesday to start a series with Bowling Green (Rays). Tickets are on sale now at BlueClaws.com.

-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-