The Jersey Shore BlueClaws fell to the Hudson Valley Renegades 6-3 on Friday night in Lakewood. The BlueClaws are now 27-51 on the season and are amidst a five game losing streak and have lost five consecutive series.
Abel Struggles on Mound
Command was an issue for MLB Pipeline top 100 prospect Mick Abel, who walked a season high six batters over 4.2 innings, scattering five hits and allowing five runs. Abel ran into trouble early, walking three batters in the first inning and allowing a run to score on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Hardman.
After walking the leadoff batter in the second inning, Abel quickly bounced back with a pair of outs before allowing a home run to Trey Sweeney, making the game 3-0. After a walk and a triple from Everson Pereria, the BlueClaws were looking at an early 4-0 deficit. Abel was then able to settle, giving up just one run in the next 2.2 innings.
From there, the bullpen was able to lock it down, keeping the BlueClaws in the game. Carlos A. Francisco relieved Abel in the fifth, striking out Aldenis Sanchez with two outs and a runner in scoring position. Francisco went back out for the sixth and picked up two more strikeouts in a scoreless frame.
Right handed flamethrower Andrew Shultz pitched a scoreless top half of the seventh that was interrupted by a short rain delay. Schultz recorded a pair of strikeouts while retiring the middle of the Renegades' lineup in order.
Jackson Ruffcorn recorded a scoreless eighth inning, but was banged up when he returned for the ninth inning. After an error by Casey Martin, Swenney ripped a triple down the right line that scored Aaron Palensky from first base. Ruffcorn was able to tightrope around the triple by recording three consecutive strikeouts to escape the inning without any further damage.
Bats Kept Quiet
After being retired in order the first time through the lineup by Renegades pitcher Beck Way, Casey Martin finally got the the BlueClaws in the hit column with a leadoff single into left field. After a walk from Ethan Wilson, Carlos De La Cruz crushed a three-run home run.
Jersey Shore only recorded three hits in the remainder of the game, and only got two runners in scoring position. The BlueClaws struck out __ times on Friday night, and were only able to get one runner in scoring position after the fourth inning, but D.J. Stewart flew out, stranding the runner at second base.
Jared Carr led off the seventh inning with a single, but the scoring change was quickly erased when Baron Radcliff grounded into a double play and Freylin Minyety struck out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth, Ethan Wilson led off the frame with a double, the middle of the BlueClaws order failed to get him over after De La Cruz grounded out, while Carr and D.J. Stewart struck out to end the game. The BlueClaws finished the game one for five with runners in scoring position.
What's Next
The BlueClaws continue their home series with Hudson Valley this weekend, then will travel to Aberdeen to take on the IronBirds in a six game series before the All-star break. Jersey Shore will then resume play on July 22 when they return home to host the Brooklyn Cyclones.
Jersey Shore is back at it tomorrow against the Renegades at 7:05 p.m as they look for their first win of the series. MLB Pipeline top 100 prospect Andrew Painter will be on the mound for the BlueClaws as they attempt to end their five game losing skid.
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