SUNS FALL TO BLUECLAWS TO EVEN SERIES

LAKEWOOD, NJ – For the second time in 2008, the Hagerstown Suns (3-2) lost a close game on Wednesday, falling to the Lakewood BlueClaws 6-5.

The BlueClaws (2-4) scored first, with an unearned run off Suns starter Brad Peacock. Peacock allowed just one other run in his five innings of work and struck out three batters without surrendering a walk.

Third baseman Tim Pahuta tied the game for the Suns with a long solo home run in the third inning off Lakewood’s Tyson Brummett.

Unfortunately for the Suns, the lead did not last long, as DH Michael Durant homered to give the BlueClaws a one run lead in the fourth inning. Lakewood extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with three runs off Suns reliever Terrence Engles.

The Suns responded in kind in the top of the seventh inning, sparked by a lead-off homer by center fielder Stephen Englund. Pahuta and catcher Jhonatan Solano also reached and scored in the inning to pull the Suns within one run.

Suns’ DH Francisco Plasencia briefly brought the game level in the eighth inning when England drove him home with a single to center field, but the tie did not last long. It was Durant who did the damage again in the home half of the eighth inning, as he doubled and was driven home on a soft single to right field to give Lakewood a 6-5 lead.

BlueClaws reliever Jared Simon (1-1) closed the door in the ninth, retiring the Suns in order to earn his first win of the season. Suns reliever Kai Tuomi (1-1) took the loss for the Suns.

The Suns and BlueClaws will play the finale of their three game series on Thursday, April 9th. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M., and the Yellowbook USA Pre-Game Show will start at 6:20 on True Oldies, 95.9 FM. The Suns first home game will take place on Friday, April 11th at 6:35 P.M. against the Lake County Captains.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class “A” affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Ticket packages and sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Los Angeles based Mandalay Baseball Properties.