Martin, Watson Lead BruceClaws to 5-1 Saturday Win

LAKEWOOD, NJ - Shane Watson allowed one run in six innings while Kyle Martin had four hits for the BlueClaws as Lakewood topped Kannapolis 5-1 on Saturday at FirstEnergy Park on Bruce Springsteen Appreciation Night.

The win is Lakewood's 15th in their last 21 games and they improve to 18-11/51-46, seven games over .500 in the second half, and five games over .500 overall, for the first time all season.

Watson's win was his first since returning from the disabled list and came in his fourth start of the season. He allowed one run on six hits with no walks and two strikeouts to improve to 1-2 on the season.

The BlueClaws opened the scoring in the first inning on an RBI triple by Kyle Martin and an RBI double by Cord Sandberg.

After a Brett Austin 2nd inning home run off of Shane Watson, Lakewood added a run on a Joel Fisher home run in the bottom of the 4th to go up 3-1. It was Fisher's first home run of the year and second professional long ball.

Kannapolis starter Spencer Adams (6-5) came out of the game after allowing three runs in six innings and the BlueClaws scored twice off Yelmison Peralta in the seventh - one on an RBI single by Cord Sandberg and another on an RBI single by Jiandido Tromp.

Manaure Martinez threw two scoreless innings of relief while Joey DeNato threw a scoreless ninth for the BlueClaws in victory.

Lakewood scored their five runs on 13 hits including four by Martin, two each by Damek Tomscha, Cord Sandberg and Jose Mayorga.

The series with Kannapolis continues on Sunday afternoon. RHP Will Morris (2-0) starts for Lakewood against Kannapolis RHP Thad Lowry (10-5).

- BlueClaws -