Matt Dominguez is here to help the Hoppers…

Dominguez Does His Part
Hoppers Drop Second Straight in Lakewood

Lakewood, N.J. – Matt Dominguez wasted little time Wednesday. Playing in just his second game this year, Greensboro’s third-baseman doubled in the first inning and the Hoppers’ next batter, Torre Langley, drove him home with a triple.

In just one inning, the Florida Marlins’ top draft pick from a year ago collected his first hit of the season, scored his first run in a Greensboro uniform and put his team on top.

And although the Grasshoppers were unable to hold on to their lead, dropping their second straight one-run game to Lakewood, 5-4, Dominguez went 3-for-4 from the plate and scored two runs.

The rest of the line-up, however, produced just four hits and two addition runs.

Neither starting pitcher made it past the fourth inning and after Greensboro’s Brett Durand and Lakewood’s Walter Tejeda each allowed four runs, the ball was placed into the hands of their respective bullpens.

Greensboro’s bullpen, one of the best in the South Atlantic League this season, entered the game with a 12-3 record and a 2.74 ERA. But the only number that mattered in Thursday’s game was the one unearned run that Eric Basurto allowed in the sixth inning that ultimately dealt Greensboro its fifth loss in the last seven games.

With runners on first and second Lakewood’s T.J. Warren grounded into a force out at second base, but in an attempt to get the double play at first, shortstop Ozzie Martinez overthrew the bag and allowed the game-winning run to round third base and cross the plate.

A.J. Battisto pitched the final 1 2/3 innings of the game for Greensboro; he struck out three batters and didn’t allow a hit while lowering his ERA to 0.87.

The Hoppers, now 25-22, were unable to score after the third inning and struck out 13 times.

Greensboro and Lakewood play the series finale at FirstEnergy Park Friday beginning at 7:00 p.m. LHP Jay Voss (0-1, 9.00) is slated to take the mound for Greensboro while the BlueClaws will counter with RHP Chris Kissock (1-2, 6.41).

Postgame Quick Stats
Win – Zack Sterner (1-0); Loss – Eric Basurto (0-1); Save – Jared Simon (6)
Time – 2:55; Attendance – 5,002
*****from Justin Stottlemyre Hoppers’ media assistant*****