LAKEWOOD, NJ - The Grasshoppers began an eight game road trip with a four game series split against the Lakewood BlueClaws.

The Hoppers and BlueClaws, both atop the Northern Division standings, met for the first time this season.  The Hoppers split the series with the BlueClaws, taking games one and three while dropping games two and four.

Grasshoppers' righty Johnny Dorn (6-1) picked up his league-leading sixth win of the season to move the Grasshoppers past the BlueClaws 7-4 in game one.  Jeremy Synan paced the Hoppers at the plate with his 4-5 performance.

The Hoppers carried a lead into the seventh inning of game two before Lakewood capitalized on two errors to rally for a one run lead in the eighth.  Brandon Todd (1-1) took the loss for the Grasshoppers despite allowing no earned runs in his one inning of work.

The Hopper's offense sparked in game three, igniting for nine runs against the Lakewood staff.  Kyle Skipworth ended his seven game skid, driving in three runs for only third time all year.  Jared Yecker (2-2) picked up the win in relief, fanning a season-high five hitters in 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

The Grasshoppers dropped the series finale 11-1 despite another three hit day from Paul Gran.  The Hoppers pounded out 10 hits total, but stranded 11 runners while going just 3-13 with runners in scoring position.  Brad Hand (2-5) tossed six innings for the second straight start but took the loss despite allowing only two earned runs.

Ben Lasater continued his role as a key run producer in the lineup this series, blasting his team leading eighth home run while driving in seven Hoppers' runs in four games.  Jeremy Synan and Paul Gran also carried their hot bats into the series, hitting .476 and .450, respectively, in their last five games.

With the split, the Grasshoppers (24-20) fall to third in the Northern Division, but remain one a half game out of the lead. 

The Hoppers travel to East Lake tonight to take on the Lake County Captains to begin a four game series before returning home. The Hoppers took the series from the Captains last time out, swiping three home contests to win the series 3-1.

The Grasshoppers return home after the four game set with Lake County to host the league leading Blueclaws for a pair of games starting Saturday May 30^th.