MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com -
MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - HICKORY, N.C. - Vance Worley posted the best start of his young professional career, helping the BlueClaws to a 2-0 win over the Hickory Crawdads.
Worley, who was the Phillies third round selection in the 2008 Draft out of Long Beach State, pitched a career-high seven scoreless innings. The 20-year old right-hander allowed just two hits and struck out five.
Worley, Chris Kissock and Jared Simon combined to not allow a Hickory hit after the third inning. Simon earned his 21st save of the season and 10th in his last 10 opportunities.
While Worley (1-0) was doing his best to give the BlueClaws a comfortable victory, the offense did not hold up their end of the bargain. Lakewood was held to four runs or fewer for the 19th time since the All-Star break. It was also the 14th time in the Lakewood's last 16 games that was decided by two runs or fewer.
Matt Rizzotti had a huge game in just his fourth appearance since rejoining the 'Claws from the disabled list. The BlueClaws designated hitter finished 3-for-3 and walked once in four plate appearances.
But Rizzotti's big night was a rarity for the Lakewood offense. No other BlueClaws player had more than a single hit and Lakewood managed just one extra- base hit.
Lakewood took the lead for good in the fifth inning against former second rounder Duke Welker (2-7). Joel Naughton picked up a one-out single before T.J. Warren doubled him home to give Lakewood a 1-0 lead.
The 'Claws added another run on an RBI groundout from Travis Mattair in the top of the sixth. Karl Bolt came across home plate after a lead-off single. But that was it offensively for the BlueClaws, who stranded eight runners, including one in each of the first six innings.
The win ensured the BlueClaws (17-10, 55-42) at least a series split and moved them to a season-best 13 games above .500. Lakewood has not lost a series since being swept in a doubleheader against Lake County on June 27, a stretch of six straight series.
The BlueClaws will try to claim a series win on Friday night at 7:00 at LP Frans Stadium. Julian Sampson (5- 3) will take the bump for the 'Claws and righty Matt McSwain (3-3, 2.08) will start for the Crawdads (11-16, 41-56).
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Friday, July 18, 2008 at 09:38AM 
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