BlueClaws clip Crawdads, 6-4
The BlueClaws (12-8) jumped into an early 1-0 lead with a tally in the bottom of the first, facing LHP Richard Bleier (2-1, 1.14). Bleier would eventually pick up the loss, after giving up five runs (only two earned) on seven hits with three strikeouts and no walks through 5.2 innings of work.
The Crawdads (10-11) came right back in the bottom of the second inning, which RF Mike Bianucci led off with a double, extending his hitting streak to five games. Bianucci advanced to third on a fly ball out, before scoring on 3B Matt West's RBI single to tie the game against Lakewood RHP Jon Velasquez (5-0, 2.25), who remained unbeaten this season with the win. West went on to go a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, with four singles and three RBIs.
However, Lakewood pulled back in front with two runs in the top of the fourth and two more in the top of the sixth. RHP Tyler Tufts (1-0, 1.93) took over on the mound with the bases loaded and two out, and gave up a two-run single to SS Jesus Villegas before striking out LF D'Arby Myers to end the inning with the BlueClaws ahead, 5-1.
The Crawdads answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth, after back-to-back, one-out doubles by Fry and Bianucci started the rally. Bianucci brought in Fry with the two-base hit, his second double of the game, and then came in and scored on another RBI single hit by West, pulling the Crawdads back within two, 5-3.
After Lakewood tacked on a run in the top of the seventh against Tufts to take a 6-3 lead, Hickory again attempted to come back with a run in the bottom of the eighth. Fry led the inning off with a walk to chase LHP Walter Tejeda (0-0, 4.05) from the mound and bring on RHP Ryan Bergh (1-1, 2.16). Bergh retired the next two batters on ground outs, which advanced Fry to third base. With two out, West ripped another RBI single to score Fry, make it 6-4, and wrap up the perfect evening at the plate. However, Bergh went on to close the rest of the game with a scoreless ninth inning, finalizing the 6-4 win for Lakewood in the series opener.
Crawdads Clippings:
The Texas Rangers placed LF Jared Bolden on the disabled list today after he collided with the left field wall in Kannapolis on Wednesday. Additionally, INF Erik Morrison has been transferred from the Frisco RoughRiders (Texas League - AA) to Hickory.
The Hamburger and Fry Complete Your Meal promotion will continue throughout the rest of the series against Lakewood this weekend. If RHP Mark Hamburger strikes out a batter and OF Eric Fry gets a hit in the same game, which happened tonight, all fans in attendance receive a free 12-ounce Pepsi. If Hamburger strikes out a batter and Fry hits a home run in the same game, the Crawdads will also give out two season tickets to one lucky fan, in addition to free Pepsi!
The Crawdads continue their weekend series against Lakewood with Friday Night Fireworks, sponsored by WNNC Stereo 1230AM, after tomorrow's game, which starts at 7 p.m. The Barkley Baseball Clinic will be held on the field on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. with help from some of the Crawdads players before the game that night, which features great giveaways. The series wraps up on Sunday at 3 p.m. with a Conrad's Little Claw Club game. To sign up for the Barkley Baseball Clinic on Saturday or for more information on any of the Crawdads upcoming promotions, call the Front Office at (828) 322-3000.