CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks Drop Series Finale, 7-3

Published on May 4, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Winston-Salem, NC - An explosive opening two innings put the Wilmington Blue Rocks (12-17) in a 5-1 hole that proved too deep in a 7-3 loss to the Winston-Salem Warthogs at Ernie Shore Field on Sunday afternoon. Matt Kniginyzky (0-3) suffered the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits over his five innings. Miguel Vega slugged his first homer of the season, while shortstop prospect Chris McConnell enjoyed a 4-for-4 day at the plate, raising his batting average to a season-best .288. The Blue Rocks dropped three of the four games on the series and short road trip.

Wilmington grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Derrick Robinson tripled on a threaded shot just fair at first, and scored on McConnell's team-leading 12th double of the season. But the Blue Crew failed to get McConnell in, stranding him at third base ultimately, and the single score would not be enough.

Paulo Orlando started the bottom of the first with a double to left-center field and John Shelby III followed with a single to left to put men at the corners. Kniginyzky induced a groundball double play from Javier Colina that scored Orlando, forging a 1-1 draw.

The 'Hogs had not finished feeding that frame though. Brandon Allen pulled a double to right and scored on the combination of an infield single and an error. Salvador Sanchez hit a hot shot to second base, snared nicely on a hop by Anthony Seratelli. But Seratelli had trouble on the exchange and hurried a tall throw to first base that went into the home dugout, allowing Allen to score and giving Sanchez second. Lee Cruz followed with an RBI single to left, aided by an excellent read of the pitcher and jump by Sanchez off second base for a 3-1 deficit that would not be overcome.

The Warthogs added to their advantage when Orlando followed a C.J. Lang single with a two-run homer to left in the second inning for a 5-1 margin. It marked the sixth homer hit by the 'Hogs in a two-game span, and the squad's ninth against the Rocks this season.

Vega's homer, a two-out, two-run pull job to right field came in the seventh inning against starter Michael Dubee (3-1). His first home run of 2008 brought the Blue Rocks within a couple of runs, 5-3. But Winston-Salem proved equal to the task, notching a pair of scores against reliever Henry Barrera. In succession, Allen walked, Sanchez tripled and Cruz doubled for a 7-3 score that would go final.

Dubee, the son of Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee, went seven innings, allowing three runs on nine hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

Three crucial double plays bounced into in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings injured Wilmington's late comeback attempts.

The Blue Rocks return home to open a six-game, seven-day homestand on Monday night with the first of three against the Salem Avalanche. Wilmington will look to right-hander Jason Godin (1-1, 4.94) as its starter, while Salem slings southpaw David Qualben (1-3, 7.03). First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. at Frawley Stadium with a special Cinco de Mayo celebration on tap. Also, every Monday is Baseball Bingo Monday at Blue Rocks home games, with free bingo cards going to the first 1,000 fans at the park.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

Chris McConnell now has hits in 11 of his last 12 games, connecting at a (.500) 23-for-46 clip over that span. He has raised his batting average 167 points from .121 to .288 since April 22.

The Blue Rocks failed to earn a single walk in their Sunday game, but struck out four times.

Tyler Chambliss worked a perfect eighth inning, including a strikeout. Over his last six appearances, Chambliss has gone 7.1 scoreless innings allowing just one hit and notching nine strikeouts.

Chris Nicoll also worked a scoreless inning out of the bullpen, giving up one hit and striking out one. He has worked 8.2 consecutive scoreless innings.

Wilmington has dropped seven of its last nine road games for a 5-11 road record on the year.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from May 4, 2008


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