Vargas Sharp But BlueClaws Drop Opener in Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY - JT Schwartz went 3-4 with a home run as Brooklyn opened a six game series with a 5-2 win over the BlueClaws on Tuesday night at Maimonides Park.

The BlueClaws (0-4) have dropped the first four games of the season after getting swept by Aberdeen over the weekend at ShoreTown Ballpark. Brooklyn (2-2) won the first of 27 meetings between the two teams this season.

Brooklyn opened the scoring in the second inning on an RBI double from Brandon McIlwain. The BlueClaws came back to tie the game in the third on an RBI double from Luis Garcia. A wild pitch scored Casey Martin in the fourth to give the BlueClaws a 2-1 lead, but the Cyclones would rally to win the game.

The Mets affiliate scored four times, all charged to JP Woodward (0-1) in the fifth inning. Wyatt Young tied the game with an RBI single. A run scored on a double-play grounder before JT Schwartz took Woodward deep to score two and push the lead to 5-2.

Victor Vargas gave up one run in four innings for Jersey Shore and took the loss in his season debut.

Ethan Wilson had two hits and two steals for Jersey Shore. Johan Rojas added two stolen bases as well. In total, Jersey Shore stole five bases, giving them a minor league best 19 in the first four games of the season. Rojas leads all minor leaguers with seven.

Carlo Reyes threw two scoreless innings in relief for the BlueClaws.

The teams continue their series on Wednesday at 7:00. RHP Cristian Hernandez starts for Jersey Shore.

-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-