After another lopsided win on Friday night — a 10-3 decision for their third straight, Hub City entered Saturday looking for the series win on the season’s penultimate day. Enrique Segura (1-5, 6.31 ERA) went up against right hander Tanner Gresham (2-5, 5.08).
With two out in the bottom of the first, Antonis Macias sent the first pitch he saw off the face of the video board for a solo homer making it 1-0 heading to the second. That did not last long as Kodey Shojinaga led off the top half with a deep game-tying shot to the berm. With one away, Daunte Stewart drew a walk and advanced on a nubber in front of the plate, but he was left there as third baseman Romeli Espinosa grounded to third to retire the side.
The Burgers threatened in the home half following a leadoff walk to Casey Cook. Evan Morrison then blooped a double inside the left field line when he was jammed. But, with the infield in, Esteban Mejia hit a comebacker, Cal Stark struck out swinging, and Neurelin Montero grounded to short to leave them both in scoring position.
In the ensuing half, it was Segura’s turn to escape a jam after issuing back to back one out walks to Juan Villavicencio and Griffin Burkholder. Segura was unable to do so, as Nate Humphreys singled to plate the go ahead run. Shojinaga then picked up his second RBI in as many plate appearances on a ground ball to third. Wuilfredo Antunez then drove in another with a base hit, but was later caught stealing to retire the side with Jersey Shore ahead 4-1.
Hub City got one back in the bottom half after a Kling leadoff knock. He later stole second and took third on a passed ball. Maxton Martin drove in the run on a ground ball to second and Macias kept things moving with a walk, but Scott II flew to right and Cook went down swinging to end the inning with the BlueClaws up 4-2.
Segura once again failed to turn in a clean frame in the top of the fourth. Stuart led off with a single and with one out, Espinosa also reached on a base hit to put men on the corners. That set up an RBI sacrifice fly from Tjayy Walton to make it 5-2, and despite a steal from Espinosa, Juan Villavicencio whiffed to retire the side.
Kamdyn Perry came in out of the bullpen after four complete from Segura in which he gave up five earned on just as many hits, four walks, and a strikeout. Perry’s first inning was tough as he instantly hit Burkholder in the ribs. With two out Antunez blasted a two run shot to the deepest part of the yard to extend the lead to 7-2. Stuart kept the inning alive with a walk and stole second, but was left on when Scott Mudler grounded to second.
The Burgers got one back in the home half thanks to a little help. Kling drew a leadoff walk and Martin followed with a blooper the second baseman let drop in front of him. He tossed to first, but Martin reached while the first baseman threw to second to try and force Kling. That throw went into left field for an error, advancing all hands 90 feet. Macias then picked up his second RBI of the game on an unassisted grounder to first, making it 7-3 heading to the sixth.
The score held there until the bottom of the eighth when Scott II sent a 2-1 pitch to the berm for a solo shot with one out. The Burgers had a chance to add on after Cook and Morrison followed with consecutive walks. But, Esteban Mejia killed the threat with a 6-3 double play to send the game to the ninth with Jersey Shore still up 7-4.
Things got interesting in the bottom of the ninth after Cole Roland left a man on in the top half. Stark led off with a two strike single, and with one out, Kling was beaned. Martin then grounded into a fielders’ choice, but no out was recorded thanks to an errant throw by the shortstop. Stark scored while Kling and Martin both ended up in scoring position representing the tying and go ahead runs. But, Macias whiffed and Scott II grounded out on a comebacker to end the game in a 7-5 decision for the BlueClaws.
The season ends tomorrow afternoon at 2:05 as Caden Scarborough (1-5, 5.03 ERA) faces left hander Juan Amarante (2-1, 3.27).
You must be logged in to post a comment Login