MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The BlueClaws bullpen held strong for over five innings to secure a 5-4 victory over Greensboro on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Park.
ADVERTISEMENT Lakewood and Greensboro battled to a 4-4 tie after the first three innings, but the BlueClaws were the owners of the only run in the final six frames. The 'Claws managed an unearned run in the sixth inning which proved to be the difference.
Lakewood scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by Ozzie Martinez on a potential inning-ending double play ball. Eric Basurto (0-1) took the loss in relief.
Zach Sterner, Sergio Escalona and Jared Simon combined to throw 5 1/3 scoreless innings after starter Walter Tejeda was removed with an apparent hand injury.
Sterner (1-0), who was making his BlueClaws 2008 debut, was especially impressive in relief. The right- hander was added to the BlueClaws roster prior to Wednesday morning's game and wasted no time in making his mark.
Sterner did not allow a hit in 2 1/3 innings. He struck out three in that span.
Escalona, also a relatively new addition to the BlueClaws, preserved the BlueClaws lead with two scoreless innings. The biggest test against Escalona came in the eighth, when the southpaw appeared to be in serious trouble after giving up a walk and a base hit to start the frame. But with runners on the corners and no outs, Escalona hunkered down and retired three straight without allowing a run.
Escalona was added to the BlueClaws roster on May 2nd, replacing promoted starter Tyson Brummett.
Jared Simon pitched the ninth to earn his sixth save of the season and second in the last two games.
On the offensive side, it was the usual suspects getting the job done for the BlueClaws against Greensboro starter Brett Durand. Michael Taylor picked up a pair of hits against the right-hander, including a triple. Taylor also scored and knocked in his 33rd RBI of the season.
T.J. Warren also contributed in his Lakewood debut. Just hours after arriving in New Jersey, the BlueClaws rightfielder hit in the leadoff spot and finished 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Lakewood (23-24) has won four of their last five games to pull within a game of .500 on the season. They have taken two straight from Greensboro (25-22) after losing the first five matchups with the 'Hoppers this year.
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Friday, May 23, 2008 at 08:21AM 
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