DeNato Slams Door; Claws Hold On For 8-7 Win

HAGERSTOWN, MD - Joey DeNato struck out David Masters with the tying run and third base and the winning run at second base as the BlueClaws held on to top Hagerstown 8-7 on Friday night at Municipal Stadium.

The win puts the BlueClaws at 30-28 on the year, two-games over .500 for the first time since they were 13-11, and gives them a win in the first of this four game series. They are now 3-1 on their current road trip with all four games having been decided by just one run.

DeNato's save was his 3rd on the year and came after he gave up a run-scoring single to Grant DeBruin to make it 8-7. He then struck out Jeff Gardner and David Masters to end the game.

The BlueClaws took the lead in the top of the 8th inning when Damek Tomscha, who had singled, scored on a passed ball. The BlueClaws tied the game in the 7th inning when Malquin Canelo scored on an error by Hagerstown second baseman David Masters.

Canelo and Rhys Hoskins each homered for the BlueClaws, who have hit six on the four game trip after hitting two between May 14 and June 7. Canelo's home run, his fourth of the year, gave Lakewood an 8-6 lead in the ninth inning.

Lakewood jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the second inning on an RBI single by Grenny Cumana and a two-run triple by Malquin Canelo. They added a run in the 4th to go up 4-1 on a two-out RBI single by Deivi Grullon.

After Hagerstown scored five unanswered runs to go up 6-4, Rhys Hoskins hit his 8th home run of the season, and second in the current road trip, to bring Lakewood within 6-5. BlueClaws starter Chris Oliver allowed six runs (four earned) over four innings. Austin Davis threw two scoreless innings and Manaure Martinez threw a scoreless seventh inning before DeNato took over in the 8th.

Canelo, Hoskins, and Tomscha had two hits for the BlueClaws.

The series with Hagerstown continues on Saturday night at 7:05. LHP Elniery Garcia (3-5) starts for Lakewood against RHP Jefry Rodriguez (1-4).

- BlueClaws -