LAKEWOOD, NJ - The visiting Grasshoppers fell to the Lakewood BlueClaws 7-4 Tuesday evening, thanks in large part to a sharp performance by Lakewood starter Jason Knapp.

Knapp leads the South Atlantic League in strikeouts, and lived up the expectations in the series opener against the Grasshoppers, notching 12 strikeouts in just five innings of work.  He exited the contest in line for his third win of the season before the Hoppers' three-run fourth spoiled Knapp's decision.

Johnny Dorn matched Knapp pitch-for-pitch in the contest, scattering eight hits to the tune of four runs to keep the visiting Hoppers in the ballgame.  Dorn fanned five for the second time in three starts, but issued three free passes for just the third time all season.

The Grasshoppers struck first in Tuesday's opener, plating leadoff man Kevin Mattison in the top of the first inning.  Mattison reached safely on a line drive to centerfield and worked himself into scoring position after swiping second and third.  Jeremy Synan walked a few batters later and helped to bring home Mattison after being thrown out for an attempted steal.  Mattison slid home safely before the out was recorded at second base to give the Hoppers their first run of the game.

After Dorn tossed two scoreless to begin the game, Lakewood finally jumped on the board with back-to-back two run innings in the third and fourth.  Control issues led to Dorn's demise in the third, as the BlueClaws registered just one hit in the frame but capitalized on two walks and two wild pitches.  Four consecutive singles in the fourth led to the additional two runs, helping Lakewood assume a 4-1 lead.

The three-run lead helped the strikeout savvy Knapp to settle in, as he fanned eight straight Hoppers from the third to the fifth innings.  Knapp hit the ninth batter to prevent him from striking out the entire team in order, but fanned the very next hitter to strike out the side in three straight innings.

The Hoppers took advantage of Knapp's exit in the next inning, tagging reliever Jordan Ellis for three runs to tie the game at four apiece.  Ellis began the frame with a strikeout, but saw Isaac Galloway reach base anyway because of the wild third strike.  Two wild pitches and a walk later, Ben Lasater stepped to plate with runners on the corners.  Lasater blasted his team-best 13^th home run in the at-bat, tying the contest and erasing Knapp's strong outing.

The BlueClaws answered with three runs of their own in the following inning however, shifting the 7-4 lead back in their favor and ultimately taking game one of the series.

Jim Murphy's eighth home run of the year proved to be the difference maker, as the two-run blast scored Travis d'Arnaud to regain the lead for the BlueClaws.  Jeremy Hamilton worked a walk, but was lifted for a pinch runner that stole second and eventually plated the third run of the inning after a defensive miscue.

The Hoppers (38-37) look to bounce back after last night's tough loss when the series continues with game two tomorrow.  The Hoppers look to gain ground towards the .500 mark in tomorrow's game, having posted a 1-5 record after the midway point.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.