BlueClaws hoping for a repeat performance

CHRIS KELLY staff Lakewood BlueClaw Quintin Berry, shown above diving back to first during the BlueClaws' win over Delmarva on Sunday in Lakewood, was one of seven Lakewood players selected to play in Tuesday's South Atlantic League All-Star Game, held in Rome, Ga.

LAKEWOOD - This time last year, the Lakewood BlueClaws were wrapping up a first half that saw them go 37-32, good enough for fourth place in the South Atlantic League's Northern Division.

That's when it all came together, as the BlueClaws went on to post a 47-23 mark over the second half of the year en route to capturing their first SAL title with playoff victories over Lexington (in two games) and Augusta (in four).

On Sunday, the BlueClaws wrapped up the first half of the 2007 season on a high note, and are hoping that the momentum gained over the last week will carry them to another title run over the next few months.

One night after scoring two runs on a dropped tag and another on a balk, the BlueClaws got a run on a throwing error, and that was the only run for either side, and gave Lakewood a 1-0 win over Delmarva on Sunday in Lakewood.

The run came in the home seventh after a leadoff double by Kevin Howard off of Shorebird starter Jeff Moore. Gus Milner, who already had two hits in the game, hit a hard grounder in the hole at short, and Pedro Florimon was able to get to the ball, but his throw to first skipped past Chris Vinyard, and Howard scored the lone run.

Neither starter allowed an earned run. Antonio Bastardo for the BlueClaws went six shutout innings with eight strikeouts, including four in a row at one point in the third-fourth innings. Moore (4-2) went seven, and the run he allowed was unearned.

Andrew Cruse (2-5) tossed two shutout innings and navigated through a leadoff single in Delmarva's best chance to tie the game, the eighth inning. He got back to back groundouts to short to end the frame.

Cruse started the ninth, and gave up a one-out single to Chris Vinyard, and Steve Roadcap summoned lefty R.J. Swindle to face left-handed hitting Billy Rowell. Swindle, on cue, struck out Rowell looking and got Brandon Snyder to fly out to center to seal the win.

Gus Milner had two hits in three at-bats and went 9-for-18 in the series, with multihit games in each of the four.

The win for Lakewood means they end the first half on a three-game winning streak, to get back over .500 at 33-32. They finish in a virtual tie for third place with Delmarva, who finishes 34-33.

The BlueClaws took the final three and won three of four from the Shorebirds this weekend, and trail the season series 11-10.

It's just the second time in the seven-year history of the franchise that the club has finished the first half over .500.

Last year's championship team showed glimpses of the glory to come heading into the All-Star break. This season, Roadcap and Co. are hoping their recent success is yet another sign of success to come.

BlueClaws send nine to SAL

All-Star game

Quintin Berry and Garet Hill were the last member of the BlueClaws to be added to the 2007 South Atlantic League North Division All-Star Team.

The game was set to take place on Tuesday at State Mutual Stadium in Rome, Ga.

Since Jason Donald has been promoted to the Florida State League, that left Lakewood with a total of eight representatives on the team. The BlueClaws along with the Ashville Tourists (Colorado) were the only teams sending six players and eight total representatives.

Manager Steve Roadcap and pitching coach Ed Hodge were elected as coaches for the team. They brought with them pitchers Kyle Drabek, Ben Pfinsgraff and Garet Hill, along with catcher Tuffy Gosewisch, and middle infielders Jason Donald and Adrian Cardenas and outfielder Quintin Berry.

This marks the most Lakewood players and coaches ever selected to an all-star team in their seven-year history. The previous high was 2002; the BlueClaws hosted the event, when manager Jeff Manto and three players on the team (Ryan Howard, Danny Gonzalez and Ben Margalski) were selected. The 2006 SAL Champion BlueClaws had just two all-stars, pitchers Matt Maloney and Carlos Carrasco.

Quintin Berry took the place of promoted Mike Daniel of Hagerstown. Berry, 22, was selected in the fifth round from San Diego State in the 2006 draft. He is hitting .286 and is the active stolen base leader in the SAL with 29. From May 21-June 5, Berry had a 14-game hitting streak in which he was 25-for-55 (.455).

Garet Hill took the spot of Cory VanAllen of Hagerstown on the roster. Hill, 23, was drafted in the 24th round of the 2006 draft from Biola University. This season he has a 3-1 record with a 1.60 ERA in 33.2 innings. He has appeared in more games (19) and more innings (33.2) than any other reliever in the Lakewood bullpen.

Kyle Drabek, 19, was the first round pick in 2006 (18th overall) of the Phillies from the Woodlands High School (Texas). He is 5-1 this year with an ERA of 4.17. His ERA is the lowest among starting pitchers on the BlueClaws. He was placed on the disabled list on May 28 with elbow inflammation but is back with the BlueClaws and was expected to appear in the all-star game.

Ben Pfinsgraff, 23, was selected by the Phillies in the 22nd round of the 2006 draft out of the University of Maryland. His ERA is just 1.08 and he has struck out 30 batters in 25 innings this season. He began the season as a reliever before spending a month (April 20-May 30) on the disabled list. He has now been inserted into the starting rotation. Pfinsgraff was selected to the New York-Penn League all-star game in 2006 but did not attend due to being promoted to Lakewood.

Tuffy Gosewisch, 23, was the 11th round pick in the Phillies 2005 draft from Arizona State University. The catcher has impressed the league with his defensive abilities and great arm, throwing out 21 base stealers in 51 attempts (41.2 percent). That percentage ranks him second in the SAL among catchers who qualify. He is batting .262 with four home runs and 23 RBIs.

Jason Donald, 22, was selected by the Phillies in the third round of the 2006 draft from the University of Arizona. Donald was promoted to Clearwater (high-A) on Monday. He was voted the starting shortstop for the North Division team by hitting .310 with four home runs and 30 RBIs. He played in 51 of 53 games during his time in Lakewood. Donald, who was a NY-Penn League All-Star last season, was not expected to be attending the all-star game due to his promotion to the Clearwater Threshers.

Adrian Cardenas, 19, was the supplemental first round pick in 2006 (37th overall) of the Phillies from Monsignor Pace High School (Fla). Cardenas is hitting .271 with seven home runs and a team-leading 39 RBIs. The steady second baseman is playing in his first season at second since being converted from a shortstop during the off-season.

BlueClaws kick off second half with six at home

The Lakewood BlueClaws will open the second half of their season with six games at home beginning tonight.

Tomorrow night, as always, means post-game fireworks, thanks to Toyota/Scion World of Lakewood. The show follows the 7:05 game. Saturday night, the always popular ZOOperstars will be at FirstEnergy Park, courtesy of CareOne, to provide entertainment during the 7:05 game. It's the first of two ZOOperstars appearances at FirstEnergy Park this year, the next coming on July 16. Sunday's game begins at 1:05, as the BlueClaws will host a Senior Expo and the first 2,000 fans will receive Jersey Backpacks, thanks to Meridian Health.