Claws Drop 5th Straight; Fall 5-1 to Hagerstown

Four Hagerstown pitchers combined on a five-hitter and Hagerstown's early lead held up in a 5-1 Suns win on Friday night at FirstEnergy Park.

The loss for the BlueClaws (2-6) was their 5th straight setback. They've scored just four runs on 21 hits over their last four games.

Andrew Cooper (1-0) came on for Hector Silvestre in the second inning after the Suns' starter was hit by a Zach Green liner and had to leave the game. Cooper gave up one run in four innings, while Justin Thomas and Jake Walsh combined for four perfect innings of relief.

A throwing error on a pick-off play from first baseman Willians Astudillo allowed Wilmer Difo to score from first and put Hagerstown up 1-0 in the first inning.

The Suns, a Nationals affiliate, added three runs in the fourth inning, which included an RBI double from catcher Craig Manuel.

The BlueClaws got on the board in the fifth inning, when Astudillo singled hom Gabriel Lino. Astudillo, who missed last year with an injury, is 6-16 on the season with a team-leading six RBIs in four starts.

Alejandro Arteaga (1-1) allowed four runs/three earned for the BlueClaws in six innings of work. Ulises Joaquin allowed a run in the seventh and Cody Forsythe threw two perfect innings in relief.

The series continues on Saturday at 4:05 as the BlueClaws celebrate Buster's Birthday. Tickets are available for both Saturday and Sunday for just $1 thanks to the Asbury Park Press.

RHP Ranfi Casimiro (0-0, 7.71) starts for the BlueClaws on Saturday against Hagerstown RHP Dixon Anderson (1-0, 0.00).