BlueClaws Stay Hot, Win Third Straight 5-1

Greensboro, NC - The Lakewood BlueClaws (13-22) trailed early, but for the first time in 18 games, came back to win, 5-1 in the finale of a four game series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers (15-20) Sunday afternoon at NewBridge Bank Park. The win marks the third in a row for Lakewood, which ties the season-high for wins in a row (4/21-4/24).

Trailing 1-0 in the fourth, the BlueClaws bounced back and plated three runs off of Austin Brice to take the lead. Art Charles led off the inning with a single and was moved to second when Willie Carmona walked.

After Larry Greene, Jr. grounded into a double play that moved Charles to third, Mitch Walding hit an RBI single to left to tie the game. Justin Dalles, the newest BlueClaw, followed Walding with an opposite field two-run homerun to right that put the 'Claws up 3-1. Brice (2-4) finished the fifth on the mound before his outing ended.

The 'Claws added two more in the seventh on an RBI fielder's choice by Brian Pointer and a sacrifice fly to left by Charles.

For the first time in the series, the Grasshoppers scored the first run of the game. Lakewood lefty Yoel Mecias walked Yeison Hernandez to begin the first and Anthony Gomez connected for a single to put runners at the corners with no outs. Yordy Cabrera brought home the first run for the 'Hoppers.

After the first, the southpaw settled in to a very nice groove. Mecias (1-2) finished five and one-third innings and allowed the one run on five hits; he walked two and struck out six. The win marks the first in Mecias' professional career.

For the second time in the series, Jordan Guth was the first pitcher out of the bullpen for Lakewood, and for the second time in a row he was outstanding. The Onalaska, Wisconsin native pitched two and two-thirds innings and allowed just one baserunner.

Steven Inch came on and made it interesting in the ninth, to say the least. The Canadian righty gave up a single and two walks with two down to load the bases, but regrouped and induced a fly out to center by Juancito Martinez to end the game.

Deborah Heart and Lung Center Player of the Game: Justin Dalles (LWD): 1-4, HR, 2RBI

Yoel Mecias (LWD): 5.1IP, 5H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 6K

The Lakewood BlueClaws return home to open up a seven game homestand at FirstEnergy Park, Monday night at 6:35 pm. The Delmarva Shorebirds are in town for the first three games, before the BlueClaws welcome in the Greensboro Grasshoppers for the final four. RHP Nicholas Hanson (1-0, 3.38) gets the nod for the BlueClaws and will be opposed by Delmarva's RHP Brady Wager (2-1, 4.76).