Vierling Homers, But Claws Rally Falls Short

Lexington held of Lakewood 3-2 on Sunday. 
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LAKEWOOD, NJ - Yefry Del Rosario threw five scoreless innings as Lexington held off a BlueClaws rally, winning 3-2 over Lakewood on Sunday at FirstEnergy Park to take the first two games in their four-game series. 
Matt Vierling homered in the eighth to bring Lakewood within 3-2. Then in the ninth, the BlueClaws got a lead-off double from Josh Stephen. He was bunted to third by Dalton Guthrie, but Stephen was thrown out at the plate on a grounder to short from Simon Muzziotti. Jhailyn Ortiz then flew to center to end the game. 
The Legends (32-22/69-53) handed Lakewood (37-18/78-46) their first set of back to back losses at FirstEnergy Park since June 14th and 15th and it's just the third time in the second half the BlueClaws have lost back to back games. 
Lexington got two runs in the first inning off Spencer Howard on a two-run single by Manny Olloque to open the scoring.
Howard (8-8) dealt with eight base-runners over four innings (four hits and four walks), but struck out seven and gave up just those two first inning runs before coming out.
Nick Pratto singled home a run in the fifth inning off Ismael Cabrera to put Lexington up 3-0. Legends starter Yefri Del Rosario (5-5) came out after five innings, allowing two hits though he walked five and struck out three.
The BlueClaws got on the board in the sixth when Colby Fitch grounded out and Matt Vierling, who had reached on an error, came home to bring Lakewood within 3-1.
Tad Ratliff threw the scoreless ninth for his second straight save. 
The teams continue their series on Monday night at 7:05 pm. LHP Will Stewart (7-1) starts for Lakewood opposite RHP Charlie Neuweiler (2-2).
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