MiLB.com hands out Player of the Week awards all year and BlueClaws RHP Trevor May was named the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week for the postseason.

Trevor May, who struck out 182 over 135 regular season innings this year, kicked off the BlueClaws’ championship run by whiffing 13 and walking one over 6 2/3 shutout innings against the Hickory Crawdads. May earned the win in that game, but his next time out he wasn’t as fortunate. In Game 1 of the Finals against Greenville, May gave up a run over five innings and got stuck with a loss. He still managed to pile up eight strikeouts in that outing.

In four postseason starts over two years for the BlueClaws, May gave up one run in 22 2/3 innings pitched. Not too shabby.

This from BlueClaws TV:

Thought this was pretty cool…Jiwan James said by the time he got back in the locker room after the clincher on Saturday, he had already received a congratulatory text message from Anthony Gose.

–

Last year, the last out of the championship clincher was a pop-up to second base, caught by Harold Garcia. Before the party started, Garcia hid the ball in his glove to make sure he didn’t lose it.

This year, like in 2006 when Matt Thayer did it, Leandro Castro, caught up in the excitement, threw the ball into the air and who knows who has it now.

–

BlueClaws players are gone, either headed to Florida for the Instructional League or home. Josh Zeid gets a week at home before going to Florida to tune up for the Arizona Fall League, which opens in two weeks. We’ll have plenty up AFL updates again this year.

“Like I said at the beginning, I really wasn’t looking forward to it (managing) until I saw the kids,” said  Lakewood manager Mark Parent.  “Then to see them do this is unbelievable,” Parent said.

“Mark Parent did a tremendous job keeping this all together throughout the year,” said Director of Minor Leagues Steve Noworyta.

—

“Ruben (Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro) brought me in to work with these young prospects, get them started,” Parent said. “That’s what I did.”

—

Lakewood is the first team since 1993-1994 (Savannah, then a Cardinals affiliate) to win back-to-back SAL titles.

—

As Eric Krupa, SAL President, noted in a post-game ceremony on the field, the BlueClaws are also the first team since the league switched playoff formats in 2000 to win both halves and then take the SAL title. Three previous teams had won both halves, including Greg Legg’s 2000 Piedmont Boll Weevils (then a Phillies affiliate).

—

Here is the game story.

—

Here is the story in the Asbury Park Press.

Some post-game quotes from around the locker room as we congratulate these BlueClaws on winning a South Atlantic League title:

Josh Zeid

• When he found out he was staying in for the 9th inning: It was one of those things, I came off the field, we had a great vibe together and the coaches told me I had it (the 9th). I knew we had Carr and McGuire if I got into trouble, they were there to back me up.
• For me, my biggest problem has been letting a big inning happen. Even though no one got on, I took deep breaths, I was calm. It worked out well.
• On the last out: That ball felt like it was up there for five minutes. I know it’s not the World Series, but it’s the Championship of the Sally League. It’s a great honor.
• Winning both halves and the SAL title: I think we turned the roster over once. We had 50-something guys but we kept the core together. Mark Parent kept the team together, he was a great motivator, and we kept the team together under him.

—

Jiwan James

• On the last out: As soon as it went it up and I saw Castro screaming, I already knew what time it was. Castro was a different player in the playoffs. In the playoffs, there was something extra. I enjoyed that.

• On his last three games, where he had six hits: I was just trying to stay aggressive really. I didn’t get one hit against Hickory but I didn’t get down on myself. I was just trying to stay aggressive.

• What did you learn in your first full season as a hitter…A lot. I fell I got comfortable a lot. Going into next year I know what to do, what not to do, how to control my body. We’ll work harder and come back ready to go.

–

Brody Colvin

• It feels great. We came out as a team and did what we set out to do and won it all. It’s a great feeling right now.
• I’ve never dog-piled before, I knew it was coming. I jumped out of my underwear, it was great.
• It was being more focused, knowing my job and my role with the team. I just started doing everything I needed to do.
• I still have buddies that are in English class right now. It’s crazy to think what’s all happened this year. It’s been a great year.

Jarred Cosart

• It was great to be here, maybe a little tough at first (watching). I feel like I could have contributed but they didn’t need me. It’s great to be a part of it and get a ring.
• I’m looking forward to next year, maybe winning a Florida State League or Eastern League title.

—

Pitching coach Steve Schrenk

• It was awesome for these guys. Josh pitched his butt off tonight, did a great job. It was nice to see the last out made and a nice way to end the year. All these pitchers did well. We led the Minor Leagues in ERA, it was great.
• These guys, I knew every night we had a chance and they showed it. They never backed down and at points carried our team this year and that’s what pitching is supposed to do.
• What do all these arms mean for the organization as a whole? It’s huge. The organization has done a great job. These guys are all 20-years old and did a great job.
• You’re going to manage in Australia, what are you most looking forward to? Being able to manage and hopefully seeing some kangaroos.

—

Jeremy Barnes

• How big was the game three win last night leading into today? It was huge, going up tonight and knowing they had to beat us twice is huge. Going up 2-1 was really big, so last night was a big game for us. Having to take a double-header is tough in the regular season much less the playoffs.
• What does it mean to win both halves and then finish it off? It shows our consistency. We had a really good team from day one, and baseball is all about consistency. Taking care of things in the playoffs after doing it in the regular season, it’s not like we just got hot in the playoffs, we did it all year. It’s good to be a part of history.

Today could be the day. Lakewood goes for their third (and second straight) South Atlantic League title today as they take on Greenville at 4:05.

Game Notes
Listen Live (at 3:50)

LAK: RHP Jonathan Pettibone (8-6, 3.49)
GRE: LHP Drake Britton (2-3, 2.97)

Championship Decided Today…Lakewood and Greenville, with Lakewood leading 2-1, play game four at 4:05…If Lakewood wins, then they take their third South Atlantic League title in five years (and in team history), becoming the first team since Savannah in 1993-94 to win back-to-back SAL titles…If Greenville wins, then a winner-take-all game five will follow 45 minutes after the conclusion of game four.

The Walk-Off Win…Jeremy Barnes’ hit to win game three marked Lakewood’s 14th walk-off win this year and the 28th time they won a game in their final at bat.

Happy Birthday…Today marks the 19th birthday of BlueClaws first baseman Jonathan Singleton, who was earlier named the SAL’s Most Outstanding Prospect.

Favorite Day?…Lakewood beat Greenville in game four of the 2009 SAL Championship Series 5-1 in Greenville, also on September 18th.

Jumpin’ Jiwan…BlueClaws CF Jiwan James had been 1-16 in the playoffs before going 3-5 in game two of the Championship Series and then 2-5 in Game Three…In Game Two, he led off the first inning with a double and scored the first run…He later drove in Lakewood’s 2nd run with a fifth inning RBI double…In Game Three, he singled to start the 9th inning and scored the winning run on Jeremy Barnes’ RBI single.

4:09: Pettibone with a 95 mph fastball to strike out Rodriguez to end a 1-2-3 first inning.

4:40: Still no score, Lakewood had two on and two out in the 2nd but Britton struck out Schoenberger.

4:51: Three Drive hits key a two-run inning for Greenville (they loaded the bases with nobody out)…2-0 Drive.

5:06: Diving catch by Jiwan James maybe saves a run to end the 4th inning.

5:23: Huge DP…Pettibone induces Almanzar into a 6-4-3 DP with the bases loaded to end the 5th. Still 2-0 Greenville.

5:40: Sebastian Valle launches a 3 run HR into the LF berm…4-2 Claws, top 6!

6:07: Zeid stays out for the 8th (his 3rd inning of work)…up 4-2.

6:15: 1-2-3 for Zeid with three Ks in the 8th…he’s faced 8 batters, struck out 5, and gotten 9 outs (including a DP).

6:21: 3 outs away…Zeid starts the 9th up 4-2.

The pitching matchup for game four includes two good youngsters, Jonathan Pettibone for Lakewood and Drake Britton, who takes the mound for Greenville…Pettibone threw seven shutout in game three of the division series while Britton is 2-0 in the playoffs and threw five shutout to win game one of this series.

RHP Jonathan Pettibone
8-6, 3.49, 131.1 IP, 114 H, 41 BB, 84 K

*9/10 vs HIC (W): 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K
9/3 vs KAN (W): 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 7 K
8/27 at HIC (W): 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R/ER, 4 BB, 5 K
8/21 at HAG (W): 8 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 8 K

Acquired: Supplemental 3rd round pick, 2008 Yorba Linda, California
Pettibone, who turned 20 on July 19th, makes his second playoff start…He threw seven shutout innings in game three of the Division Series against Hickory…He has won four starts in a row and five of his last six…Over his last 15 starts of the regular season, since allowing six runs in 1/3 of an inning on June 6th, Pettibone is 6-4, 2.38, the third best ERA in the league over that time period…He has not allowed more than three earned runs in a start since June 6th and has only allowed three earned runs once in that period (7/18 at Kannapolis)…After his June 6th start, his ERA sat at 5.98…He is 5-1, 2.06 over his last eight starts…Two starts vs Greenville (5/14: 5 IP, 4 ER, 8/5: 6 IP, 2 ER)…Drafted between Vance Worley (now in big leagues) and Trevor May (current teammate) in 2008…Committed to USC before signing.

Greenville: LHP Drake Britton
R: 7-7, 3.30, 114.2 IP, 91 H, 19 BB, 120 K

*9/13 vs LAK (W): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 0 K
*9/8 vs SAV (W): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 8 K
9/2 at CHA (W): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K
8/27 vs ASH (L): 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R/2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Acquired: 23rd round pick, 2007 Waco, Texas
Britton, 21, makes his 3rd playoff start after winning game one of the Championship Series…He also won game two if the Division Series against Savannah…Has a 2.72 ERA since July 1st (3.70 before)…Made two starts before going on DL in April and came back on May 24th…Did not get to five innings until July 25th and has not exceeded five innings this year…Signed in August of 2007 for $700,000 after committing to Texas A&M…Had TJ surgery in the fall of 2008.

—

Here are the Saturday game notes.

Before Jeremy Barnes’ RBI single in the bottom 9th inning on Friday night, the BlueClaws were 1-11 with runners in scoring position and had left 11 runners on base, nine of which were in scoring position.

But they only needed one run, and they got it, on an 0-2 fastball from Dennis Neuman. Barnes delivered what was the 14th walk-off win for the BlueClaws this year.

“This is an amazing feeling,” he said after getting doused with shaving cream. “Gump got me pretty good (with shaving cream). I’ve hit a lot of balls hard right at people, but I just haven’t quite come through. I’ve had a good year but not a game winning hit until now.

“Neuman has a great slider. He went fastball away and I just tried to stay short to the ball and thank goodness it went over the shortstop’s head.”

With the win, the BlueClaws can now clinch the SAL title with one win on Saturday. Game 4 comes up at 4:05 pm and if necessary, Game 5 would follow. Order tickets here.

More photos here.

Note: Greenville flipped pitchers, bumping their ace Drake Britton (2-0 in the playoffs) up to Game 4 (on normal rest because of Thursday’s rain out). Manuel Rivera will now pitch Game 5. Lakewood will throw Jonathan Pettibone first and if necessary Trevor May.

—

I find this amusing: Barnes went to Notre Dame. Drive President Craig Brown went to Michigan State. Guess which two old rivals are meeting tomorrow in East Lansing? Guess which new rivals are meeting tomorrow in Lakewood?

Thursday’s SAL Championship Series Game Three between the BlueClaws and Greenville Drive has been postponed due to rain. The details on the remainder of the series:

• Game three will now be played on Friday at 7:05 pm.
• Game four will be at 4:05 on Saturday, and if necessary, game five will follow 45 minutes later.
• All tickets from Thursday’s game can be exchanged for Friday or Saturday.

Thanks. Will have more later.

9:04: The same pitchers, Chris Balcom-Miller of Greenville and Brody Colvin of Lakewood will pitch on Friday in game three. Learn about them here.

9:32 am: Just to clarify on the ticket end of things…

• As a guide, use the date on your ticket (Friday tickets are good for today, Saturday tickets for Saturday, and Thursday tickets can be exchanged.
• Reminder that Saturday’s game will start at 4:05 and tickets for Saturday are good for both games of the (possible) double-header.

Welcome back to FirstEnergy Park for the pivotal game three of the 2010 South Atlantic League Championship Series. Greenville won game one 3-1 and Lakewood game two 6-1. The winner tonight plays for the title tomorrow.

Game Notes
Listen Live (at 6:50)

LAK: RHP Brody Colvin (6-8, 3.39)
GRE: RHP Chris Balcom-Miller (7-7, 3.30)

Fight Fallout…Six players, three from each team, were suspended for one game due to the benches-clearing brawl from game two on Tuesday…(indicates what game of the series the suspensions will be served)…Lakewood: Leandro Castro (3), Julio Rodriguez (4), Korby Mintken (3)…Greenville: Michael Almanzar (3), Vladimir Frias (4), Jeremy Hazelbaker (3)…The suspensions were announced Tuesday by league President Eric Krupa.

Jumpin’ Jiwan…BlueClaws CF Jiwan James had been 1-16 in the playoffs before going 3-5 in game two of the Championship Series on Tuesday…In that game, he led off the first inning with a double and scored the first run…He later drove in Lakewood’s 2nd run with a fifth inning RBI double.

Surf’s Up…BlueClaws 2B Keoni Ruth, a Honolulu native who was playing for Na Koa Ikaika Maui in the Golden League when the Phillies signed him in August, is 7-20 during the playoffs and has hit safely in four of the five playoff games while reaching base in all five.

Below, a look at the two starting pitchers, Brody Colvin of Lakewood and Chris Balcom-Miller of Greenville (Balcom-Miller was with Asheville for most of the season before being acquired by the Red Sox on August 30th and assigned to Greenville).

Lakewood: RHP Brody Colvin
R: 6-8, 3.39, 138 IP, 138 H, 42 BB, 120 K

*9/10 vs HIC (ND): 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R/0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
9/5 vs KAN (ND): 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 5 K
8/31 vs AUG (L): 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 K
8/24 at HAG (ND): 5 IP, 10 H, 3 R/ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Acquired: 7th round pick, 2009 Lafayette, Louisiana
Colvin, who turned 20 on August 14th, makes his 2nd start of the postseason and was the only member of Lakewood’s opening rotation who did not miss a turn all season…He gave up one unearned run in game two of the Division Series against Hickory…Since a May 12th start in Greenville when he allowed seven runs in 1.2 innings, Colvin went 4-3, 2.00 in the regular season…The 5/12 start was his lone start against Greenville this year…One win since July 4th but on year has 11 starts this year in which he has given up zero or one earned run and not gotten the win…Won the first half clincher (6/20 vs Kannapolis in Lakewood)…Finished 8th in the league in ERA…Was on campus at LSU when he decided to sign with the Phillies at the deadline last August.

Greenville: RHP Chris Balcom-Miller
R: 7-7, 3.30, 114.2 IP, 91 H, 19 BB, 120 K

*9/10 at SAV (W): 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 3 BB, 6 K
9/4 vs HIC (W): 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 3 K
8/29 at GRE (L): 5.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R/ER, 1 BB, 9 K
8/23 vs SAV (W): 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 11 K

Acquired: trade (with COL, 8/30/10) West Valley College
Balcom-Miller, 21, makes his second playoff start and third start with Greenville…He was acquired from the Rockies for Manny Delcarmen on 8/30, the day after he lost to Greenville as a member of Asheville (who at the time of the deal was 1⁄2 game behind Greenville)…Has won seven of his last eight starts overall (with the lone loss TO his current team)…Had one win in his first 13 starts and has seven in his last eight…A 6th round pick last year by the Rockies…13 HBP vs 19 BB this year…Went 4-0, 1.58 in Pioneer League last year and was 23rd ranked Rockies prospect.

–

Here are tonight’s game notes.

Just spoke with BlueClaws reliever Josh Zeid who threw three shutout innings in relief tonight and came right in after the benches clearing brawl. Click here to listen.

“I was warming up in the bullpen, everyone screamed ‘FIGHT’ and we went in. It’s a really tough situation. It’s a really important game, you have to win, so you have to be smart. You can’t punch anyone. You don’t want to hit anyone. But going back warming up, I knew I was going back in the game, had to slow everything down.”

Down 1-0, the BlueClaws turn to Julio Rodriguez in game two of the SAL Championship Series here in Greenville. Last night, the Drive picked up a 3-1 win behind Drake Britton, and a loss tonight means the BlueClaws have to win three in a row to win the series.

Game Notes
Listen Live (at 6:50)

LAK: RHP Julio Rodriguez (5-1, 1.44)
GRE: RHP Ryan Pressly (5-7, 3.72)

Hit Or Miss…The BlueClaws have scored 7, 1, 6 and 1 runs in their four playoff games…They are just 3-22 with runners in scoring position over the first four games of the playoffs and are batting as a team just .175 (22-126)…Keoni Ruth has six of Lakewood’s 22 hits…Not including Ruth (6-17) and Jeremy Barnes (4-12), the BlueClaws are just 12-97 (.124).

They’re Pitching, Though…Despite the offensive struggles, the BlueClaws have allowed a total of five runs (four earned) in 36 innings with opponents batting just .172 against them.

7:14: Got one on three hits…Singleton reached on a FC to drive in Jiwan James, who led off the inning with a double…Here’s Julio.

(more…)