Delmarva ends red-hot BlueClaws' win streak

FILE PHOTO Lakewood's Adrian Cardenas is set to become just the fifth BlueClaws player to participate in the All-Star Futures game on July 8 in San Francisco.

LAKEWOOD - Brandon Tripp's RBI single in the ninth inning broke a 2-all tie and gave Delmarva a 3-2 win over Lakewood on Monday, snapping the BlueClaws' seven-game winning streak.

The BlueClaws (4-1) entered Tuesday night's game having scored just 20 runs in their last seven games and 28 in their last eight, but had won the first seven nonetheless. On Monday night, they could only manage four hits in falling just short. The Shorebirds (2-3) have won 12 of the first 20 meetings with Lakewood.

Garet Hill (3-2) gave up the run in the ninth inning on a base hit to right by Tripp. The batter before, with a runner on second, Todd Davison hit a soft grounder to Fidel Hernandez at short, but the runner Florimon shielded Hernandez, who misplayed the ball. Tripp then singled to give Delmarva the lead.

Chad Thall tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his 10th save.

The stories early in the game surrounded the starting pitchers, neither of whom factored in the decision. Delmarva starter Tim Bascom, a fourth-round pick this year making his first appearance in affiliated ball, threw five perfect innings for the Shorebirds, striking out nine, but was removed due to a pitch count after five.

He left with a 2-0 lead, but saw Lakewood tie the game at two with a run in the sixth and another in the eighth. Quintin Berry's RBI single in the eighth tied the game, and gave Bascom a no-decision. The hit came off Wilfrido Perez (2-2), who allowed both runs but got the win, the first keyed by a double by Tuffy Gosewisch leading off the sixth, the first Lakewood base-runner of the night. He scored on a groundout by Jay Miller.

Lakewood's Edgar Garcia was removed after three batters, with an undisclosed injury.

Prior to Monday's game, the BlueClaws won their seventh game in a row, coming back for a 3-2 win over Hagerstown to complete a four-game sweep on Sunday afternoon.

The winning run came across in the bottom of the eighth as Adrian Cardenas hit a fielder's choice groundout to first. He barely beat the return throw from shortstop Michael Martinez, and that allowed Tuffy Gosewisch to score the go-ahead run.

The seven wins in a row was a season-high for Lakewood, and their 37-32 overall record marked the first time they have been five games over .500.

Coming off a season where the BlueClaws used a stellar second half of the season to propel them to their first South Atlantic League championship, the Claws are hoping that their recent success is an indication that they are indeed ready for another title run over the second half of this season.

Adrian Cardenas to play

in Futures Game

BlueClaws second-baseman Adrian Cardenas has been selected to the United States roster of the All-Star Futures Game on July 8 in San Francisco.

Cardenas, the 37th player selected in the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft, was selected to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in his first full season in professional baseball. He hit .274 with seven home runs and a team-leading 45 RBIs in the first half.

He becomes just the second active BlueClaws player to be selected to the Futures Game, joining Carlos Carrasco, who pitched in last year's game.

There have been three BlueClaws alumni who were selected after they had played for the BlueClaws: Ryan Howard, Gavin Floyd and Scott Mathieson.

"We're very excited for Adrian, a fantastic ballplayer and outstanding young man," said BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown. "We hope he follows in the line of ex-BlueClaws who go on to fine Major League careers."

Cardenas, a native of Miami Lakes, Fla., hit .318 last year in the Gulf Coast League after being named High School Player of the Year by Baseball America in June.

BlueClaws to host

troop supply drive

The Lakewood will host their annual Troop Supply Drive at FirstEnergy Park on Thursday, July 5, as part of Military Appreciation Night.

Boxes will be set up in front of the ballpark for fans to drop off a variety of items. The list of items in need and being requested includes razors, snacks, baby wipes, shampoo, soap, non-chocolate candy and sweets, sun block (SPF 40 or higher), lip balm, writing utensils, silly string, deodorant, tissues, cotton swabs, white socks, batteries, insect repellent with DEET, and flashlights.

The Troop Supply Drive is in conjunction with the Monmouth-Ocean Central Labor Council Military Committee, Monmouth-Ocean Building Trade Council, National Guard, and Toms River Armory.

"Members of our Armed Forces and military are true heroes to us all," said BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown. "We're encouraging everyone to bring something to the park that night to help out the people who risk their lives protecting us every day."

Additionally, the first 2,000 fans 17 & under through the gates that night will receive Kids Camouflage Caps courtesy of Mortgage Now, and BlueClaws players and coaches will be wearing special camouflage jerseys.