Lakewood made three critical errors, including two on one play, to squander an early lead in a 7-5 loss to Greensboro on Tuesday night at NewBridge Bank Park. Dominic Brown misplayed a routine flyball from Adam Howard with two outs and the bases loaded in the sixth inning and then threw the ball into the stands, allowing all three runs to score. The series of miscues tied the game, 4-4.
Jacob Diekman had walked the bases loaded to set up the run-scoring play. All three walks came with two outs.
The BlueClaws (19-19) remained winless in games started by Diekman this season. Lakewood is now 0- 8 in games started by the 21-year old southpaw.
Diekman gave up just one earned run in 5 2/3 innings while taking a no decision. He had not walked a batter until the three straight with two away in the sixth.
The 'Hoppers (21-17) got the winning runs in the bottom of the seventh, scoring three runs on just two hits. Joel Naughton made his first error of the season in the inning and BlueClaws pitchers contributed a pair of walks.
The BlueClaws had taken a 4-1 lead in the top of the sixth thanks to the bat of Dominic Brown. Brown blasted his fourth home run of the season off of Greensboro starter Stu Alexander to drive in three runs.
Alexander, like Diekman, did not factor in the decision, giving up four runs, three earned, in 5 2/3 innings.
A.J. Battisto (2-0) took the win for the Grasshoppers, while Chris Kissock (1-1) took the loss in relief for the BlueClaws. Kissock lasted just 2/3 of an inning, giving up two runs, on earned.
Michael Taylor added his sixth home run in the top of the eighth, but the solo shot was not enough bring the game back into reach. The long ball was the fifth for Taylor in his last six games.
The BlueClaws will look to go back above .500 on Wednesday morning when they take on the Grasshoppers in the third game of the four game set. Chance Chapman (1-3) will make the start for the BlueClaws, while right-hander Colby Miller (1-6) will take the mound for Greensboro. First pitch is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. from NewBridge Bank Park.