LAKEWOOD, NJ - Jose Taveras struck out 10 over eight innings and gave up just two runs as the BlueClaws won their fifth straight game, topping Kannapolis 4-2 on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Park.

The five-game winning streak is Lakewood's second-longest of the year (six games from May 9 - May 15 against Kannapolis and West Virginia) and puts them at 16-11/45-51. Kannapolis falls to 13-13/37-59 on the year and 3-7 against the BlueClaws.

Lakewood broke open a 2-2 game in the sixth when Damek Tomscha doubled in the go-ahead run and Wilson Garcia singled in the game's final run.

Taveras (4-7) came out after eight innings, the third time he's pitched at least eight in a game this year. Sutter McLoughlin came on and threw a scoreless ninth inning, striking out KJ Woods to end the game and earn his fourth save of the season.

The BlueClaws opened the scoring in the first on a SAC fly by Damek Tomscha before the Intimidators tied the game on Nate Nolan's first professional home run in the third.

Lakewood went back ahead in the fourth on an RBI single by Jose Pujols, but Kannapolis tied the game back up in the fifth on an RBI double by Grant Massey.

Kannapolis starter Max Beatty (2-3) gave up all four runs over 5.2 innings and took the loss.

Josh Tobias had two hits and Damek Tomscha drove in two runs for the BlueClaws in the win.

The BlueClaws look for the series sweep on Friday night at 7:05 pm. RHP Edgar Garcia (3-1) starts for Lakewood against RHP Luis Martinez (4-7).

- BlueClaws -