BlueClaws Baffle Brooklyn's Bats in 3-0 Defeat

William Lugo and José Mena collect multi-hit games in loss

By Justin Rocke

August 5, 2023

BOX SCORE
PLAY-BY-PLAY LAKEWOOD, N.J. (August 5, 2023) — C José Mena and 1B William Lugo each collected multi-hit games, but four different Jersey Shore arms combined to toss a five-hit shutout, as the BlueClaws bested the Brooklyn Cyclones, 3-0, on Saturday night at ShoreTown Ballpark. With no

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (August 5, 2023) — C José Mena and 1B William Lugo each collected multi-hit games, but four different Jersey Shore arms combined to toss a five-hit shutout, as the BlueClaws bested the Brooklyn Cyclones, 3-0, on Saturday night at ShoreTown Ballpark.

With no score entering the home half of the fifth, the ‘Claws (18-17, 53-47) scratched across the game’s first run.

DH Anthony Quirion worked a walk to start the frame and moved into scoring position on a single from 2B Freylin Minyety. After a fly out to left advanced Quirion to third, CF Marcus Lee Sang brought him in with a run-scoring infield single to short, giving Jersey Shore a 1-0 lead.

The BlueClaws tallied the game’s final two runs in the seventh. Minyety started the rally with an infield knock and scooted to second on a one-out single from Lee Sang.

Following a pitching change, LF Gabriel Rincones Jr. reached on a fielder’s choice throwing error at short, loading the bases. C Caleb Ricketts followed with a potential double-play ball to second, but it was not hit hard enough. Brooklyn (22-13, 50-50) settled for the out at second, as Minyety crossed to stretch the BlueClaws' advantage to 2-0.

1B Rixon Wingrove followed with a potential inning-ending grounder to short, but the second baseman was unsuccessful in reeling in the throw. The fielding error enabled everyone to be safe, including Lee Sang chugging in to score from third, pushing Jersey Shore’s cushion to 3-0.

Brooklyn’s best opportunity to score came in the top of the fourth. Lugo picked up a one-out single and took second on a walk by 3B Jacob Reimer. Following a strikeout, Mena dunked a single into left field. Lugo raced towards the plate but was tagged for the final out of the frame.

LHP Rafael Marcano (5-6) tossed five innings of four-hit shutout ball for the ‘Claws, striking out five, for his fifth win. LHP Wesley Moore collected the final four outs for his first South Atlantic League save.

RHP Cameron Foster (4-6) was stuck with the tough-luck defeat. The 24-year-old permitted three runs (one earned) on eight hits in 6.1 innings, whiffing six.

Brooklyn will try and garner a series split in Sunday afternoon’s series finale. RHP Robert Colina (2-2, 3.27 ERA) is projected to take the hill for the second time in the series for the Cyclones. RHP Carlos Betancourt (4-3, 4.21 ERA) is slated to make the start in a bullpen game for the BlueClaws. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.