Miguel Nunez takes the mound for the BlueClaws this morning at Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland as the BlueClaws look to complete a three-game sweep of the Shorebirds. First pitch is at 10:35.

Game Notes / Listen Live (at 10:20)

Top of the Morning…The BlueClaws and Shorebirds meet for the second of three straight Wednesday mornings…Lakewood topped Delmarva 4-3 last Wednesday in Lakewood and they will meet next Wednesday, again at FirstEnergy Park.

On a Roll…After losing four games in a row between May 3^rd and 6^th in which they were shutout three times, the BlueClaws are 10-3 and they have won 9 of their last 11 games…The BlueClaws are now within five games of .500…Their low-water mark was 12-games under .500 after falling to 10-22 after a May 9^th loss at Greensboro.

With a Win…With a win today, the BlueClaws would sweep their first series since a 2-game sweep of Delmarva May 22-23 of last year…Their last three+ game sweep was a four-game sweep of Delmarva August 21-24 of 2011…the BlueClaws would draw within four games of .500 for the first time since they were 1-5 after a loss on April 9^th.

May Day…The BlueClaws are 12-7 in May having scored 87 runs in 19 games (4.58 runs per game) with a 2.91 team ERA…In April, they went 7-17 with a 5.20 team ERA, scoring 93 runs in 24 games (3.88 runs per game).

Mighty Quinn…Romqn Quinn is 16-44 since May 9th with six multi-hit games over that stretch…Roman Quinn hit his 4^th home run of the season on Monday (he hit just one last year with Williamsport, plus a second in the NY-Penn League All-Star Game), ranking him second on the team, one behind 1B Art Charles…He’s added five stolen bases in that period and now has 19 on the season…He has stolen 2^nd and 3^rd in the same inning on three occasions this year…He has a three stolen-base game (4/13 vs Greensboro)…Quinn stole 30 bases last year with Williamsport, leading the NY-Penn League.

Walk This Way…Quinn has drawn a walk in three straight games and now has drawn 10 walks in 76 plate appearances in May, compared to four walks in 93 plate apperances in April…He’s stolen 10 bases in May, tying his mark from April, in five fewer games, and is hitting .303 in May after hitting .202 in April.

On Nunez…RHP Miguel Nunez (4-0, 3.26) makes his 9^th appearances and 5^th start of the year on Wednesday morning at Delmarva…He gave up five runs/four earned on 11 hits in his start Thursday night vs Greensboro…This will be his first appearance against Delmarva this year…Nunez won three straight appearances between April 18 and May 1(4 earned runs in 13.1 innings pitched)…He began the year in a piggy-back role with LHP Yoel Mecias and the two were split up the last time through the rotation…Nunez did not pitch (injured) in 2011 and 2012…He made his debut in 2010, splitting time between the GCL Phillies and the Dominican Summer League Phillies.

April was tough on Jordan Guth. The BlueClaws Opening Day starter went 1-4 with an ERA of 5.24 and a 14-12 K-BB ratio. Moved to the bullpen in May, the results have been outstanding. Guth, the relief pitcher, has allowed just two earned runs in 14.1 innings with a 16-5 K-BB ratio.

He threw three scoreless innings last night in a 3-1 BlueClaws win over Delmarva.

“In a shorter outing, you don’t have to save it for later. That’s really helped me a lot. And my velocity has gone up,” he said. “Using everything I have over a short period of time.”

Guth is grew up in Minnesota and is a Minnesota sports fan all the way around but moved to Onalaska, Wisconsin in high school, which is on the Minnesota border on the western part of the state.

He was a 9th round pick last year by the Phillies out of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. “You know about where you’re going to go but it’s not real until it happens. The Phillies called me in the 8th round and said they were going to take me in the 9th round, and it all worked out in the end.”

Click here to listen to the full interview.

Last night’s win at Delmarva was Lakewood’s 8th in the last 10 games and they look to keep the momentum going tonight when they take on the Shorebirds at 7:05 in game two of their three-game series. RHP Shane Watson takes the mound for the BlueClaws.

Game Notes / Listen Live (at 6:50)

On a Roll…After losing four games in a row between May 3^rd and 6^th in which they were shutout three times, the BlueClaws are 9-3 and they have won eight of their last 10 games…The BlueClaws are now within six games of .500…Their low-water mark was 12-games under .500 after falling to 10-22 after a May 9^th loss at Greensboro.

On Watson…RHP Shane Watson makes his 9^th start of the year and second against Delmarva on Monday night…He picked up his second win of the year on Wednesday, topping Delmarva, allowing two unearned runs over five innings…It snapped a streak of three straight starts without a win in which Watson gave up 13 earned runs in 10 innings…Watson’s longest outings of the year are six innings, from his first two starts of the season…He was the Phillies first pick (40^th overall) in 2012 from Lakewood High School in California, the same high school that produced 2009 BlueClaws catcher Travis d’Arnaud.

With a Win…With a win today, the BlueClaws would draw within five games of .500 for the first time since they were 1-6 after a loss on April 10^th…A win would also mark the BlueClaws fourth straight series win (at Greensboro, vs Delmarva, vs Greensboro) and fifth series win in May (also vs Charleston)…The BlueClaws just won one series in April (at Greensville).

Three Twos…Mitch Walding has three straight two-hit games, his 7^th – 9^th multi-hit games of the season and has now hit safely in seven of his last eight games (and four straight)…Before Friday, his previous multi-hit game was on April 29^th in Asheville…Walding hit .233 with Williamsport last year…The Lodi, California native was a fifth round pick of the Phillies in 2011.

Mighty Quinn…Roman Quinn hit his 4^th home run of the season on Monday (he hit just one last year with Williamsport, plus a second in the NY-Penn League All-Star Game), ranking him second on the team, one behind 1B Art Charles…Quinn has six multi-hit games since May 9^th, over which he is 15-40…He’s added five stolen bases in that period and now has 19 on the season…He has stolen 2^nd and 3^rd in the same inning on three occasions this year…He has a three stolen-base game (4/13 vs Greensboro)…Quinn stole 30 bases last year with Williamsport, leading the NY-Penn League.

Guth From the Pen…Since moving to the bullpen at the start of May, Jordan Guth has allowed just two earned runs over 14.1 innings with 16 strikeouts…He gave up two walks over three hitless and scoreless innings on Monday at Delmarva…He has thrown 10.1 consecutive scoreless innings…Guth went 1-4, 5.24 as a starter in April, with 14 strikeouts in 22.1 innings pitched…He was a 9^th round pick last year from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Hawaiian Punch…BlueClaws catcher Chace Numata has reached base in 21 straight games, beginning April 19^th…Over that stretch, he is 25-75 (.333) with two home runs and 19 RBIs…He has hit in the two-hole in his last six starts, having hit in the bottom third of the order all year prior to the May 11^th game at Greensboro…He hit his first career grand slam on Friday night (5/10)…Against lefties he is hitting 9-for-19 with a home run and 11 RBIs…Numata, from Pearl City, Hawaii, on the island of O’ahu, was a 14^th round pick of the Phillies in 2010.

Another On-Base Streak…1B Art Charles has reached base in 20 straight games dating to April 18^th (he was on the DL from May 1^st – May 7^th), over which he is 23-74 (.311) with three home runs…Charles picked up his first mutli-hit game since coming off the disabled list on May 16^th against Greensboro and added another on May 20^th at Delmarva…The first baseman was acquired by the Phillies for RHP Michael Schwimer from the Blue Jays in February.

Greene Heating Up…Larry Greene Jr had his seven-game hitting streak snapped on Saturday but is 11-30 over his last nine games, including the game-tying RBI double in the 8^th inning on Thursday night…Greene Jr has drawn 21 walks in 24 games, covering 100 plate appearances, and already has five two-walk games thus far.

RHP Jonathan Musser, up from extended spring training earlier this week, will make his BlueClaws debut this afternoon at 1:05 in the BlueClaws homestand finale. Greensboro topped the BlueClaws 8-5 on Saturday, snapping Lakewood’s three-game winning streak.

Game Notes / Listen Live (at 12:50)

Last Game Recap…Greensboro scored three times in the top of the 9^th inning breaking a 5-5 tie and they topped the BlueClaws 8-5 on Saturday afternoon, snapping Lakewood’s three-game winning streak…The BlueClaws had tied the game in the 8^th inning when Carlos Tocci went all the way around after two errors on a groundball to the pitcher…Cameron Flynn had three hits and Viosergy Rosa drove in three runs.

A BlueClaws Debut…RHP Jonathan Musser joins the BlueClaws and makes his Lakewood debut on today…He was a 21^st round pick in 2010 from Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa…Last year, Musser went 2-4, 6.91 in 41.2 innings with Williamsport…He takes the roster spot of LHP Lino Martinez, who was sent to extended spring training.

Hawaiian Punch…BlueClaws catcher Chace Numata has reached base in 20 straight games, beginning April 19^th…Over that stretch, he is 24-70 (.348) with two home runs and 19 RBIs…He has hit in the two-hole in his last five starts, having hit in the bottom third of the order all year prior to the May 11^th game at Greensboro…He hit his first career grand slam on Friday night (5/10)…Against lefties he is hitting 9-for-18 (.500) with a home run and 11 RBIs…Numata, from Pearl City, Hawaii, on the island of O’ahu, was a 14^th round pick of the Phillies in 2010.

Another On-Base Streak…1B Art Charles has reached base in 19 straight games dating to April 18^th (he was on the DL from May 1^st – May 7^th), over which he is 21-69 (.304) with three home runs (he extende the streak by drawing a first-inning walk on Saturday)…Charles picked up his first mutli-hit game since coming off the disabled list on May 16^th against Greensboro…The first baseman was acquired by the Phillies for RHP Michael Schwimer from the Blue Jays in February.

With a Win…With a win today, the BlueClaws would take three of four in the current series from Greensboro and win their third straight series (three of four at Greensboro and two of three vs Delmarva)…The series win over Delmarva was their first series win at home this year.

Playing Well…The BlueClaws have won four of six on the current homestand and have won seven of their last nine games (and eight of their last 11), including four in which they allowed the first run (first four such wins of the season)…Lakewood is 10-7 in May after going 7-17 in April.

Back-to-Back…Mitch Walding has two straight two-hit games, his 7^th and 8^th multi-hit games of the season…Before Friday, his previous multi-hit game was on April 29^th in Asheville…Walding hit .233 with Williamsport last year…The Lodi, California native was a fifth round pick of the Phillies in 2011.

Speedy Quinn…Roman Quinn has four stolen bases on the current homestand and is 5^th in the league with 19 on the season…He has stolen 2^nd and 3^rd in the same inning on three occasions this year…He has a three stolen-base game (4/13 vs Greensboro)…Quinn stole 30 bases last year with Williamsport, leading the NY-Penn League.

Nick Hanson has allowed one run in 18 innings over his three starts and he takes the hill for Lakewood today as the BlueClaws, off a 6-3 win last night, try for their 4th straight win, which would be their 8th in the last nine games, today against Greensboro at 4:05.

Game Notes / Listen Live (at 3:50)

On Hanson…RHP Nicholas Hanson makes his 4^th start and 10^th appearance on Saturday against Greensboro…Hanson moved to the rotation on May 1^st and has allowed just one run in 18 innings over three starts (1-0)…He went a career-long seven innings in his last outing on Monday against Delmarva, allowing one run and getting a no-decision…All three of his starts have been at FirstEnergy Park…As a reliever in April, he gave up 10 ER in 15.2 IP on 22 hits…Hanson made three starts among 19 appearances with Williamsport last year, when he went 2-3, 7.00 in 45 innings…From Huntington Beach, California, Hanson pitched at Golden West College and was a 16^th round pick last year.

On a Roll…The BlueClaws have won four of five on the current homestand and have won seven of their last eight games (and eight of their last ten), including four in which they allowed the first run (first four such wins of the season)…Lakewood is 10-6 in May after going 7-17 in April…A win today would be their fourth straight win, tying their season long win streak (May 10-13 vs Greensboro and Delmarva).

Come Back Wins…The BlueClaws did pick up their first come-from-behind win until May 12^th at Greensboro but now have four on the season, including three on the current homestand (May 15^th vs Delmarva from 2-0 down, May 16^th vs Greensboro from 5-0 down, and May 17^th from 1-0 down).

Go Deep…Willie Carmona’s home run on Friday night was his first of the season and fifth professional home run (he hit two last year with Lakewood and two with the GCL Phillies)…It was just the fourth BlueClaws home run in 23 home games thus far this season, and the third to clear the outfield fence (Roman Quinn hit an inside-the-park home run)…The BlueClaws have hit 12 home runs away from home…Art Charles leads the team with five.

Hoppin’ to Lakewood…Greensboro and the BlueClaws meet for the first time in Lakewood this season (Lakewood leads series 2-0) after the teams split eight games in Greensboro, with Lakewood winning three of four last weekend and the Hoppers winning three of four in April…Greensboro is 5-14 since an 11-8 start and enters today having lost seven of their last nine games (three of four to Lakewood and two of three to Hagerstown before this series).

Greene Heating Up…Larry Greene Jr has hit safely in seven straight games dating to May 7^th and is 10-23 over that stretch, including the game-tying RBI double in the 8^th inning on Thursday night…Greene Jr has drawn 20 walks in 22 games, covering 92 plate appearances, and already has five two-walk games thus far.

Speeding Up…After recording just three multi-hit games in his first 28, Roman Quinn has multi-hit games in five of his last eight, including a three-hit game on Tuesday night against Delmarva, his first three-hit game of the season, and a two-hit game on Friday…Quinn is 13-32 over his last eight games, raising his average from .196 to .239…He added two more stolen bases on Wednesday and another Friday, giving him 19 on the season, ranking 4^th in the league (Micah Johnson of Kannapolis leads with 37)…Quinn stole 30 bases (caught six times) last year with Williamsport, leading the NY-Penn League.

On Point…Brian Pointer has driven in 13 runs over his last eight games (eight RBIs in his first 29 games) including a 3-run double on Tuesday night, a pair of RBIs on Wednesday afternoon, and the game-winning RBI single on Thursday night…Prior to his seven-game RBI streak, which ended Friday, he had driven in just two runs from April 25^th – May 9^th…He’s hit two home runs this season, both at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro.

May Day…The BlueClaws are 10-6 in May having scored 70 runs in 16 games (4.38 runs per game) with a 2.84 team ERA…In April, they went 7-17 with a 5.20 team ERA, scoring 93 runs in 24 games (3.88 runs per game).

Hawaiian Punch…BlueClaws catcher Chace Numata has reached base in 20 straight games, beginning April 19^th…Over that stretch, he is 24-70 (.348) with two home runs and 19 RBIs…He has hit in the two-hole in his last five starts, having hit in the bottom third of the order all year prior to the May 11^th game at Greensboro…He hit his first career grand slam on Friday night (5/10)…Against lefties he is hitting 9-for-18 (.500) with a home run and 11 RBIs…Numata, from Pearl City, Hawaii, on the island of O’ahu, was a 14^th round pick of the Phillies in 2010.

Another On-Base Streak…1B Art Charles has reached base in 18 straight games dating to April 18^th (he was on the DL from May 1^st – May 7^th), over which he is 21-65 (.323) with three home runs…Charles picked up his first mutli-hit game since coming off the disabled list on May 16^th against Greensboro…The first baseman was acquired by the Phillies for RHP Michael Schwimer from the Blue Jays in February.

The BlueClaws have won six of their last eight games including their first three come-from-behind wins of the year and look to keep the momentum going tonight when they take on Greensboro at FirstEnergy Park. There will be post-game fireworks (call 732-901-7000 option 2 for tickets).

Game Notes / Listen Live (at 6:50)

Come Back Wins…The BlueClaws did pick up their first come-from-behind win until May 12^th at Greensboro but now have three on the season, including two on the current homestand (May 15^th vs Delmarva from 2-0 down and May 16^th vs Greensboro from 5-0 down).

Greene Heating Up…Larry Greene Jr has hit safely in six straight games dating to May 7^th and is 9-20 over that stretch, including the game-tying RBI double in the 8^th inning on Thursday night…Greene has not struck out in his last three games after striking out at least once in his first 18 games…Greene Jr has drawn 19 walks in 21 games, covering 88 plate appearances, and already has five two-walk games thus far.

Hoppin’ to Lakewood…Greensboro and the BlueClaws meet for the first time in Lakewood this season (Lakewood leads series 1-0) after the teams split eight games in Greensboro, with Lakewood winning three of four last weekend and the Hoppers winning three of four in April…Greensboro is 5-13 since an 11-8 start and enters having lost six of their last eight games (three of four to Lakewood and two of three to Hagerstown before this series).

On Point…Brian Pointer has driven in 13 runs over his last seven games (eight RBIs in his first 29 games) including a 3-run double on Tuesday night, a pair of RBIs on Wednesday afternoon, and the game-winning RBI single on Thursday night…Prior to his seven-game RBI streak, he had driven in just two runs from April 25^th – May 9^th…He’s hit two home runs this season, both at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro. 

Speeding Up…After recording just three multi-hit games in his first 28, Roman Quinn has multi-hit games in four of his last seven, including a three-hit game on Tuesday night against Delmarva, his first three-hit game of the season…Quinn is 11-27 over his last seven games, raising his average from .196 to .237…He added two more stolen bases on Wednesday, giving him 18 on the season, ranking 4^th in the league (Micah Johnson of Kannapolis leads with 35)…Quinn stole 30 bases (caught six times) last year with Williamsport, leading the NY-Penn League.

Back in the Swing…Art Charles had his first multi-hit game since returning from the disabled list on Thursday night, going 2-4…It was his first multi-hit game since April 26^th…Charles was injured in Asheville on April 29^th and returned to the Lakewood lineup on May 8th…The left-handed hitting Charles has hit five home runs to lead the BlueClaws (all on the road)…He was acquired by the Phillies in February from the Blue Jays for RHP Michael Schwimmer.

On Mecias…LHP Yoel Mecias (1-2, 4.76 ERA) makes his 8^th appearance and 6^th start of the season on Friday night against Greensboro…Mecias gave up a run on five hits against Greensboro on Sunday, earning his first professional victory in what was his longest outing of the season…He’s allowed just one earned run in his last three outings, covering 14 innings pitched…Last year, had a 2.16 ERA with the GCL Phillies in 14 games/4 starts with 34 strikeouts in 41.2 innings pitched.

Miguel Nunez, off to a 4-0 start this year, takes the mound for the BlueClaws tonight against Greensboro in the first of a four-game weekend series at FirstEnergy Park.

Game Notes / Listen Live (at 6:20)

Come Back Win…Wednesday’s win was just the second for the BlueClaws this season in which they’ve trailed and the first in which they made up a multi-run deficit…After allowing the first run of the game at Greensboro on Sunday, they won 6-1 and fell behind 2-0 in Wednesday’s 4-3 win over Delmarva.

Up From the Cellar…With Wendesday’s win and loss by Kannapolis in Lexington, the BlueClaws and Intimidators are tied for 6^th place in the Northern Division, with the BlueClaws ahead by .006 percentage points (one more win and one more loss)…The BlueClaws had been in last place (7^th) since starting the season 1-9.

May Day…The BlueClaws are 8-6 in May having scored 58 runs in 14 games (4.14 runs per game) with a 2.86 team ERA…In April, they went 7-17 with a 5.20 team ERA, scoring 93 runs in 24 games (3.88 runs per game).

Hoppin’ to Lakewood…Greensboro and the BlueClaws meet for the first time in Lakewood this season after the teams split eight games in Greensboro, with Lakewood winning three of four last weekend and the Hoppers winning three of four in April…Greensboro is 5-12 since an 11-8 start and enters having lost five of their last seven games (three of four to Lakewood and two of three to Hagerstown).

On Point…Brian Pointer has driven in 12 runs over his last six games (eight RBIs in his first 29 games) including a 3-run double on Tuesday night and a pair of RBIs on Wednesday afternoon…Prior to his six-game RBI streak, he had driven in just two runs from April 25^th – May 9^th…He’s hit two home runs this season, both at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro.

Pair of Quinns…After recording just three multi-hit games in his first 28, Roman Quinn has multi-hit games in four of his last six, including a three-hit game on Tuesday night against Delmarva, his first three-hit game of the season…Quinn is 10-23 over that stretch, raising his average from .196 to .237…He added two more stolen bases on Wednesday, giving him 18 on the season, ranking 4^th in the league (Micah Johnson of Kannapolis leads with 35)…Quinn stole 30 bases (caught six times) last year with Williamsport, leading the NY-Penn League.

On Nunez…RHP Miguel Nunez (4-0, 2.76) makes his 8^th appearance and 4^th start on Thursday in the first game of the series with Greensboro…Nunez faced Greensboro in his most recent outing, allowing three runs/two earned runs in six innings, earning his 4^th win of the season…It was his longest outing of the year…Nunez began the year in a piggy-back role with LHP Yoel Mecias, but the pair was split up the last time through the rotation…Nunez has allowed one or two earned runs in all seven appearances thus far…He missed both 2011 and 2012 with injuries and last pitched in 2010 when he went 1-7, 6.80 split between the DSL Phillies and the GCL Phillies.

A Minor League Baseball tradition, morning baseball! RHP Shane Watson and the BlueClaws take on Delmarva today at 11:05 am, which means you should take a day off from work, or just tune in.

Delmarva topped Lakewood 7-6 in 12 innings last night after Lakewood tied the game on a Roman Quinn single in the bottom of the 9th inning. The teams have split the first two games of the three-game series.

Game Notes / Listen Live

With a Win…With a win today, the BlueClaws would win their third series of the season (at Greenville 4/23-25 and at Greensboro 5/9-12), and mark the first time they would win back-to-back series this season.

Top of the Morning…This is the second day the BlueClaws have kicked off before noon…They lost both ends of an April 29^th double-header at Asheville…The BlueClaws will play morning games each of the next three Wednesdays, all against Delmarva (May 22^nd at Delmarva and May 29^th in Lakewood against Delmarva, in addition to today).

Extra Pleasure? Not Exactly…The BlueClaws dropped to 0-2 in extra innings this year with Tuesday’s loss to Delmarva, and they are now 3-13 in extra innings over the last two years and 9-20 in extra innings dating to the start of the 2011 season.

On Point…Brian Pointer has driven in 10 runs over his last five games (eight RBIs in his first 29 games) including a 3-run double on Tuesday night…Prior to his five-game RBI streak, he had driven in just two runs from April 25^th – May 9^th…He’s hit two home runs this season, both at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro.

Pair of Quinns…After recording just three multi-hit games in his first 28, Roman Quinn has multi-hit games in four of his last five, including a three-hit game on Tuesday night against Delmarva, his first three-hit game of the season…Quinn is 9-19 over that stretch, raising his average from .196 to .237…He added his 16^th stolen base on Tuesday, against four caught stealings…He is 6^th in the league in steals (Micah Johnson of Kannapolis leads the league with 35)…Quinn stole 30 bases (caught six times) last year with Williamsport, leading the NY-Penn League.

Zach Attack…Zach Taylor has started five straight games (Friday – Tuesday) and made the most of the opportunity…In those four games, Taylor is 9-18 with two HRs, five RBIs, and three doubles)…Prior to the current stretch, Taylor, a 12^th round pick last year from Armstrong Atlantic State in Georgia, had been 11-47 with four doubles and no home runs or RBIs.

On Watson…RHP Shane Watson (1-3, 6.19) makes his 8^th start of the year and first against Delmarva…Watson last pitched on Friday at Greensboro, allowing three runs in four innings…Watson gave up nine earned runs in his first four starts, covering 22 innings…Since, covering three starts, he’s allowed 13 earned runs in 10 innings…Walked a career-high six on 5/4 vs Lexington…Gave up one earned run in seven innings with the GCL Phillies last year…Phillies first pick in the 2012 draft (40^th overall) from Lakewood, California…Played at Lakewood High School, the same high school that produced 2009 BlueClaws catcher Travis d’Arnaud.

The BlueClaws send LHP Lino Martinez to the mound tonight as they look for their 5th straight win. They picked up a “walk-off” 4-3 win last night over Delmarva in the first game of the series, with Zach Taylor drawing a bases loaded walk to end the game.

Game Notes / Listen Live (at 6:20)

Going For Five…The BlueClaws look for their 5^th straight win tonight, which would extend their season-long win streak, currently at four…The last time the BlueClaws won five straight games was last year, when they won five straight between July 11^th and 15^th against Hickory and Savannah.

Hawaiian Punch…BlueClaws catcher Chace Numata has reached base in 17 straight games, beginning April 19^th…Over that stretch, he is 22-58 (.379) with two home runs and 16 RBIs…He has hit in the two-hole in his last two starts, having hit in the bottom third of the order all year prior to the May 11^th game at Greensboro…He hit his first career grand slam on Friday night (5/10)…Against lefties he is hitting 8-for-16 (.500) with a home run and nine RBI…Numata, from Pearl City, Hawaii, on the island of O’ahu, was a 14^th round pick of the Phillies in 2010.

Hawaiian Punch (Defensive Edition)…An infield in high school, Numata converted to catcher upon being drafted by the Phillies, this year, he has thrown out 20 of 62 opposing base-stealers (32.3%)…No South Atlantic League catcher has thrown out more than 14 opposing base-stealers.

Zach Attack…Zach Taylor has started four straight games (Friday – Monday) and made the most of the opportunity…In those four games, Taylor is 8-14 with two HRs, five RBIs, and three doubles)…Prior to the current stretch, Taylor, a 12^th round pick last year from Armstrong Atlantic State in Georgia, had been 11-47 with four doubles and no home runs or RBIs..

Zach Attack…Zach Taylor has started four straight games (Friday – Monday) and made the most of the opportunity…In those four games, Taylor is 8-14 with two HRs, five RBIs, and three doubles)…Prior to the current stretch, Taylor, a 12^th round pick last year from Armstrong Atlantic State in Georgia, had been 11-47 with four doubles and no home runs or RBIs.

Nick the Great…Nicholas Hanson became the first BlueClaws starter to throw seven innings in a game when he did so Monday against Delmarva, allowing just one run…Since moving to the starting rotation, Hanson has allowed one run in 18 innings over three starts…He gave up 10 ER in 15.2 innings pitched as a reliver…Hanson was a 15^th round pick of the Phillies last year from Golden West College in California.

Remaking the Rotation…Only two of the five original BlueClaws starting pitchers remain in the rotation, with RHP Kevin Brady and RHP Josh Warner having been sent to extended spring training and RHP Jordan Guth moved to the bullpen…LHP Lino Martinez (from extended) and RHP Nicholas Hanson (from the bullpen) have joined the rotation, with RHP Miguel Nunez and LHP Yoel Mecias, who had been piggy-backing, split up to take up two rotation slots.

After dropping the first game in Greensboro on Thursday, the BlueClaws won the final three games of their series against the Grasshoppers and carry a season-long three-game win streak into tonight’s game against Delmarva, the first time the teams will meet this year (of 24).

Game Notes / Listen Live (at 6:20)

Welcome Home…The BlueClaws return to FirstEnergy Park and will play seven games against Delmarva (three) and Greensboro (four)…Lakewood is in the midst of a stretch in which they will play 14 out of 18 games in Lakewood (6-5), where they have a 3.75 team ERA, compared to 5.54 away from home.

Hello, Old Friend…This marks the first series of the year between the BlueClaws and Delmarva (Orioles)…The teams will meet 24 times this season, including nine times in the next 17 days and 12 in the next 27 games (28 days)…The BlueClaws went 13-8 against Delmarva last year, 18-7 against Delmarva in 2011 and 14-9 against Delmarva in 2010 (three-year record of 45-24).

State of the Clubs…The BlueClaws have equaled their season-long win streak of three having taken the final three games of the series in Greensboro…They can win their fourth straight game tonight, which would be their longest win streak since a five-game win streak July 11-15 last year vs Hickory and Savannah…Delmarva comes to Lakewood after losing two of three in Hagerstown (split a double-heaader on Sunday)…Delmarva is 6-13 after starting the season 10-5.

Going, Going…BlueClaws had just eight home runs through the first 32 games of the season, but have recorded seven in the last three games in Greensboro…Art Charles leads the team with five homers…Roman Quinn is second on the squad with three and Chace Numata, Brian Pointer, and Zach Taylor all have two each…Numata has the lone grand slam of the season (5/10 at GBO).

Hawaiian Punch…Chace Numata has been a pleasant surprise for the Lakewood BlueClaws in all facets this season…At the plate the switch hitter is batting .315 (28-for-89) with two home runs and 16 RBI…He hit his first career grand slam on Friday night (5/10) and has reached base safely in 16 straight games (20-54 with two HRs and 14 RBIs)…Against lefties he is hitting 8-for-16 (.500) with a home run and nine RBI.

Pair of Quinns…After recording just three multi-hit games in his first 28, Roman Quinn had two hits in all three games he played in Greensboro (6-11 in the series), raising his average from .196 to .228…He added his 15^th stolen base on Sunday, against four caught stealings…He is 6^th in the league in steals (Micah Johnson of Kannapolis leads the league with 32)…Quinn stole 30 bases (caught six times) last year with Williamsport, leading the NY-Penn League.

Zach Attack…Zach Taylor got three straight starts in Greensboro (Friday – Sunday), the first time he has started three straight games all season, and made the most of his opportunity, going 7-13 with two home runs, four RBIs and three doubles)…Prior to that series, Taylor, a 12^th round pick last year from Armstrong Atlantic State in Georgia, had been 11-47 with four doubles and no home runs or RBIs.

Chace Numata was an infielder in high school and began catching at a tryout leading into the 2010 draft, where the Phillies took him in the 9th round.

This year, Numata has already thrown out 19 opposing base-stealers (of 59) and he’s nailed six more runners than any other catcher in the league.

Here is an interview we did with Numata in Asheville last week in which he talks extensively about his catching and learning the position.

Numata was at a workout where one of the scouts pointed at the catcher’s gear.

“They just told me to suit up and throw it as hard as I can at second base,” he said.

From the Phillies and thru games of Sunday, May 5th…

Players of the Week

Pitcher- RHP, Tyler Cloyd, Lehigh Valley… 1 start, 1-0, 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 10 SO… Cloyd’s 10 SO tied a career-high… Over his last two starts Cloyd is 1-0, 2.40 ERA (4 ER, 15.0 IP) after starting the year 0-3, 7.65 ERA (17 ER, 20.0 IP) through his first four… The 25-year-old right-hander was an 18^th round selection in the 2008 draft out of The University of Nebraska at Omaha… Cloyd was signed by Jerry Lafferty.

Player- OF, Cameron Perkins, Clearwater… Batted .360 (9-25) in 6 G, 7 R, 2 RBI, 4 2B, 1 HR… As of print, riding a 12-game hitting streak where he is hitting .422 (19-for-45), 7 2B, 3B, HR … Perkins has hit safely in 21 of his last 22 games and is batting .355 (43-for-121) on the year which ranks 6^th in the FSL… His 43 hits are good for the organizational lead and are T-1^st in the FSL… Perkins hit .304 (82-270) last year at Williamsport… Promoted from WIL to Clearwater, Perkins has hit .320 (125-391) with 35 2B over his last 96 G between WIL & CLR… The 22-year-old Perkins was selected in the 6^th round of the 2012 draft out of Purdue University… Perkins was signed by Nate Dion.

Team notes below the fold -

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Your last chance to see the BlueClaws this week is tonight at FirstEnergy Park, a 6:35 game against Lexington as Lakewood tries to snap a four-game losing streak. Nicholas Hanson, who threw five scoreless innings in his first start of the year on Thursday, takes the mound for Lakewood. For tickets, call 732-901-7000 option 2.

Game Notes / Listen Live (at 6:20)

Newest BlueClaw…C Justin Dalles has joined the BlueClaws from extended spring training…He was signed by the Phillies in December after spending four years in the Orioles system (was a 6^th round pick in 2009 by the Orioles out of the University of South Carolina)…Last year, Dalles hit .329 in 20 games with Delmarva and .234 in 41 games with Hi-A Frederick)…Through 2012, he hit .229 in 225 career games with 15 home runs…Born in Brooklyn, he moved to Boynton Beach at age eight.

On Hanson…RHP Nicholas Hanson (1-0, 4.35) makes his 8^th appearance and 2^nd start for Lakewood on Tuesday night…He made his first start of the year on Wednesday, throwing five shutout, two-hit innings, earning his first win…Prior to that outing, he made six relief appearances (10 ER in 15.2 innings)…Hanson was a 16^th round pick last year from Golden West College (originally from Huntington Beach, California)…He went 2-3, 7.00 in 19 games (three starts) with Williamsport last summer.

Keep Chacing…Since April 19^th, Chace Numata is 15-40 with four multi-hit games…He is also 17-44 at home compared to 6-31 on the road…His 7^th inning home run on Wednesday was his 3^rd professional home run after he hit two with Williamsport last summer…He was a 14^th round pick in 2010 from Pearl City, Hawaii.

Goose-eggs…The BlueClaws have been shutout three of their last four games, including on Monday night, and five times overall this year…Charleston has also been shutout five times and Greenville leads the league in that category at six…The BlueClaws were shutout eight times last year and eight times in 2011…The BlueClaws have scored 108 runs in 30 games, the second fewest total in the league (Greenville at 103).

Avoiding The Sweep…The BlueClaws need a win to avoid being swept for the 3^rd time this season (3 games vs Hagerstown April 8-10 and 3 games at Asheville April 26-29)…The BlueClaws were swept in four series last year and two in 2011.

Walk This Way…Larry Greene Jr has drawn 14 walks in 16 games, covering 63 plate appearances, and already has five two-walk games thus far…He has more walks than any other BlueClaws player (tied with Angelo Mora, who has 14 walks in 119 plate appearances)…As a team, the BlueClaws have drawn 88 walks, the third fewest in the league.

The BlueClaws will send LHP Yoel Mecias to the mound tonight at FirstEnergy Park (6:35 first pitch) against Lexington. The Legends (Royals) have taken the first two games in the four-game series, which wraps up tomorrow night.

Game Notes / Listen Live (at 6:20)

State of the Clubs…Lakewood enters the game at 9-20, and the BlueClaws are 8-11 after starting the season 1-9…They are currently 11-games under .500 and 8.5 games out of first place, both season-highs…They won two of three from Charleston in their most recent series…Lexington has won five games in a row and six out of seven after starting the season 8-15…They swept a three-game series from Delmarva before coming up to Lakewood.

Hot Hittin’ Willie C…Willie Carmona is 14-32 over the last eight games after starting the season 10-55… He has hit in the clean-up spot for Lakewood since Art Charles was injured in the first game of the April 29^th double-header at Asheville…His four-hit game on April 26^th was the first of his career…Carmona was an 11^th round pick from Stony Brook and helped the Seawolves reach the College World Series.

Keep Chacing…Since April 19^th, Chace Numata is 14-37 with four mult-hit games…He is also 16-41 at home compared to 6-31 on the road…His 7^th inning home run on Wednesday was his 3^rd professional home run after he hit two with Williamsport last summer…He was a 14^th round pick in 2010 from Pearl City, Hawaii.

Two for Tocci…Carlos Tocci had two hits in both Saturday’s and Sunday’s games, his fourth and fifth multi-hit games of the season…He is 7-21 thus far in May…Just 17 years old, Tocci is the youngest player in BlueClaws history and will not turn 18 until August 23^rd.

A Perfect 12…Brian Pointer is a perfect 12-12 stealing bases this season, including going 4-4 on Sunday vs Lexington…The franchise record for stolen bases in one game is five, set by Javon Moran in 2004…Pointer stole 13 bases in 87 games with Lakewood last year and added 3 in 35 games with Williamsport for a season total of 16.

Speed Machine…Roman Quinn has four stolen bases on the current homestand and is 14-16 on the season, tying him for fourth in the league, seven behind Kannapolis’ Micah Johnson…Quinn stole 30 bases last year with Williamsport, leading the NY-Penn League…On two occasions, Quinn has stolen second and third base in the same sequence.

Rotation Adjustment…LHP Lino Martinez, who was added to the BlueClaws roster on Sunday from extended spring training, replacing RHP Josh Warner, will start Thursday’s game at Greensboro in Warner’s spot in the rotation…Martinez was with Lakewood last year, going 6-5, 5.55 and was the BlueClaws Opening Day starter.