CarL1 Winston-Salem Dash

Disastrous Third Inning Dooms Warthogs in 6-2 Loss to Wilmington

Published on April 25, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release


WILMINGTON, DE - A disastrous third inning led to the Winston-Salem Warthogs demise in a 6-2 loss to Wilmington on Friday night at Frawley Stadium. The Blue Rocks broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the third inning and rode a strong start from Blake Wood to victory in the opener of this three-game series.

The Blue Rocks struck for a run in the first inning as Derrick Robinson walked on four consecutive balls by Warthogs starting pitcher John Ely. Robinson proceeded to steal second base and scored on an RBI double by Chris McConnell to give Wilmington the early lead.

The Warthogs knotted the game at one in the next frame when Brandon Allen led off with a double and moved to third base on a wild pitch. After Lee Cruz walked to put runners on the corners with no outs, C.J. Retherford lifted an RBI sacrifice fly to center that plated Allen.

Numerous mental mistakes by the Warthogs and aggressive base running allowed the Blue Rocks to score three runs in the decisive third inning. McConnell and Mertins both singled and stole bases to put runners on second and third to start the inning. After Joe Dickerson popped out, Anthony Seratelli was hit on a leg with an 0-2 pitch to load the bases. A passed ball allowed McConnell to score the first run of the inning and advanced the runners to second and third.

Next, Jeff Howell hit a ground ball to Warthogs third baseman C.J. Retherford. Mertins broke for the plate on contact and Retherford's throw to home was in time to get the runner, but Warthogs catcher Billy Killian assumed a force out and failed to apply the tag, which allowed the runner to score. Before the next pitch was delivered, Ely was called for a balk, which scored Seratelli from third to give the Blue Rocks a 4-1 lead.

Retherford, who finished 2-for-3 with 2 RBI, hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to cut the Warthogs deficit to 4-2. Wilmington answered right back with a pair of runs in the seventh inning on RBI hits from Mertins and Seratelli to stretch their lead to 6-2.

Ely (0-2) took the loss after surrendering four runs on six hits in six innings of work. Prior to tonight, Ely had only allowed one walk in 19 innings on the season, but he allowed three free passes tonight. Wilmington starting pitcher Blake Wood (1-1) tossed a season-high 6 2/3 innings, while limiting the Warthogs to two runs on four hits with four strikeouts to earn the win.

The second game of this three-game series is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 with a 6:05 PM first pitch. Chicago White Sox 2007 first round pick (25th overall) LHP Aaron Poreda (0-1, 2.35) will get the start for the Warthogs. The Blue Rocks will send RHP Mario Santiago (0-2, 7.71) to the mound.

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Carolina League Stories from April 25, 2008


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