HICKORY, NC - The BlueClaws scored 3 times in the 11th inning, taking the lead on a Grenny Cumana RBI single and adding two on a Deivi Grullon home run as the BlueClaws topped Hickory 6-3 on Wednesday afternoon at LP Frans Stadium.

The BlueClaws (11-9/40-49) have now won six of their last seven games and have taken the first two from Hickory (9-11/47-43) in their three-game series.

Hickory had tied the game in the ninth with an unearned run off Jeff Singer, leveling the score on a base hit by Yeyson Yrizzari that scored Ti'Quan Forbes and included an error on BlueClaws right fielder Jose Pujols. That run was the lone run allowed in three innings of relief by Jeff Singer, who earned his first win since signing with the Phillies in October.

The BlueClaws got all of their runs in the 11th with two outs - one on a single by Grenny Cumana and two on the home run by Grullon, his fifth of the year and his second straight game with a home run. All three were charged to Emerson Martinez (0-2), the losing pitcher.

Zach Coppola had three hits for the BlueClaws while Cornelius Randolph, Wilson Garcia, and Cumana had two apiece in the win.

Hickory struck first off starter Frankly Kilome, who settled in after the second inning run. He got three straight strikeouts with 2nd and 3rd and none out in the fourth and struck out Eric Jenkins to finish his day allowing one run over five innings with seven strikeouts.

Hickory tied the game in the sixth off Skylar Hunter on an RBI single by Tyler Sanchez. Earlier in the inning, Hunter made an errant pickoff throw to first base, on which Frandy de la Rosa was thrown out trying to advance to third. However, obstruction was called on first baseman Wilson Garcia which kept de la Rosa on the bases and he scored the tying run.

The BlueClaws then re-took the lead in the seventh on Coppola's RBI single on which Edgar Cabral collided with second baseman Frandy de la Rosa. The ball rolled into centerfield and Wilson Garcia scored the go-ahead run. Hickory manager Steve Mintz was ejected for arguing for interference on Cabral. That set the stage for the tying run in the ninth and Lakewood's extra-inning heroics.

The BlueClaws look for the sweep against Hickory on Thursday night at 7 pm. RHP Jose Taveras (3-7) starts for the BlueClaws opposite RHP Dillon Tate (2-3).

- BlueClaws -