BlueClaws Score Four in Second, Hold On For 4-3 Win

BROOKLYN, NY - The BlueClaws scored four times in the second inning and held on late, topping Brooklyn 4-3 on Wednesday to earn their first win of the season.

Jason Ruffcorn got the last three outs and induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double-play to earn the save. The BlueClaws (1-4) had dropped the first four games of their season including the series opener on Tuesday to the Cyclones (2-3).

The four-run second proved all the scoring the BlueClaws needed. Andrick Nava got it started with an RBI single. After a run scored on a wild pitch, Johan Rojas doubled in Nava. Then McCarthy Tatum scored on another wild pitch.

That was enough for Jersey Shore starter Cristian Hernandez, who threw 3.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts in his first start of the year.

The Cyclones scored two in the seventh off Tyler McKay on an RBI single from JT Schwartz and a SAC fly from Joe Suozzi. Carlos Francisco allowed an unearned run, on a passed ball, to cut the lead to 4-3 in the eighth. Ruffcorn came on for the ninth and walked the leadoff batter. But after an out on an interference call, he got Wilmer Reyes to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game and give the BlueClaws their first win of the season. Ruffcorn earned his fourth professional save.

Jersey Shore, who came into the game with a minor league-best 19 stolen bases, added five more. Ethan Wilson stole two, tying teammate Johan Rojas for the minor league lead with seven.

Dominic Pipkin (1-0) earned the win while Brooklyn starter Daison Acosta (0-1) was charged with four runs in two innings and took the loss.

The teams continue their series on Thursday night in Brooklyn, RHP Griff McGarry starts for Jersey Shore.

-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-