5. BlueClaws comeback from four-runs down, May 19 vs. West Virginia: The BlueClaws were in desperate need of some wins after dropping six of their last seven games. Things were looking bleak after the seventh-place Power jumped out to a 5-1 lead off of Jacob Diekman. But Lakewood rallied thanks to a Mike Durant home run and three hits, all extra-bases, for Karl Bolt to come from behind and take a 10-5 win. The victory was the start of a seven-game BlueClaws winning streak.
4. Durant and Taylor put on a show, May 5 vs. Lexington: The BlueClaws big hitters put on a long-ball display on late in an 11-7 victory over the Legends. Durant was first to go deep, putting a monster home run into the centerfield picnic area in the seventh. Taylor put the game out of reach one inning later, crushing a three-run home run to deep centerfield. It was hard to tell which ball was hit harder, but they were both impressive and both were critical to the BlueClaws win.
3. Taylor caps ninth-inning comeback, April 29 vs. Kannapolis: Trailing the Intimidators 4-1 entering the ninth inning, there seemed to be little hope for the BlueClaws in their series opener with Kannapolis. But Wander Perez and Santo Luis could not find the strike zone and the BlueClaws took advantage to the tune of four runs and a walk-off win. Perez put the first three hitters on base with the free pass before Derrick Mitchell tied the game with a double to leftfield. The Intimidators walked Dominic Brown to get to Taylor, who was 0-for-4 to that point. He needed just one pitch to end the game with a base hit back up the middle, scoring Mitchell from second base to earn a 5-4 win.
2. Walk-off wild pitch sinks Shorebirds, June 7 vs. Delmarva: Lakewood had lost a game early in the season to the Shorebirds on a walk-off wild pitch, so it seemed only fitting that the BlueClaws returned the favor. With the bases loaded and two outs in a 4-4 game, Shane Matthews threw one to the backstop, scoring D’Arby Myers from third to end the game. The victory was the first for the BlueClaws in a game in which they were outhit and was essential in keeping the first half hopes alive.
1. Drew Naylor mows them down, June 5 vs. Delmarva: Drew Naylor had been a legitimate ace since Opening Night, but the Australian right-hander put his best stuff on display in a critical matchup with the Shorebirds. Naylor struck out five over the first two innings on his way to a complete-game, 13-strikeout performance. Only Robinson Tejeda, who struck out 14 in 2001, has fanned more in a game. The importance of the game, combined with the absolutely dominating stuff made this a performance that will be remembered at FirstEnergy Park for a long time.
As exciting as the first half was, the BlueClaws are looking to improve on their finish in half number two and head to the playoffs for the second time in team history. One thing is for certain—the BlueClaws will serve up plenty more memorable moments in 2008.