Blue Rocks Take Rubber Match from Cats
Published on July 9, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Hill City Howlers News Release
Wilmington topped Lynchburg 3-1 on Thursday night at City Stadium to earn a series victory in the three-game set between the two Carolina League Northern Division rivals. The Hillcats will begin a three-game series at Winston-Salem on Friday night. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
The Blue Rocks wasted no time in seizing an early lead. Derrick Robinson drew a leadoff walk from Cats starter Justin Wilson in the top of the first and advanced to third on Johnny Giavotella's single. Wilson recovered by inducing Mike Moustakas to ground into a double play, but Robinson scored from third to put Wilmington in front 1-0.
Wilson tossed three scoreless innings following the first, but the Blue Rocks pushed a run across in the fifth. Chase Fontaine drew a leadoff walk and Wilson plunked Matt Morizio to put runners at first and second with no outs. The runners advanced when Wilson uncorked a wild pitch and Fontaine scored from third on Robinson's RBI groundout to make it a 2-0 game.
Wilmington tacked on a run in the seventh. Fontaine singled off Lynchburg reliever Mike Colla to begin the frame and stole second base. After Colla retired Moustakas, Robinson belted an RBI triple into the right-center field gap to score Fontaine and give the Blue Rocks a 3-0 edge.
Lynchburg finally got on the scoreboard with a run in the bottom of the eighth. Kris Watts doubled to start the inning and Eddie Prasch drew a walk from Wilmington reliever Jason Godin. After Jose De Los Santos singled to load the bases, Chase d'Arnaud drove in Watts with a sacrifice fly to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
Chris Chavez worked a perfect ninth to earn his second save of the season for Wilmington.
Timely hitting eluded the Hillcats as Lynchburg grounded into three inning-ending double plays. On the flip side, Lynchburg pitchers allowed eight walks in the contest, which ultimately resulted in two of the three Wilmington runs.
Mario Santiago (4-9) tossed five scoreless innings to pick up the win for the Blue Rocks. Wilson (3-6) was charged with the loss for Lynchburg.
The Cats will travel to Winston-Salem for a three-game weekend series against the Dash. RHP Matt McSwain will start for Lynchburg in game one while LHP Justin Edwards gets the call for Winston-Salem. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Wake Forest Baseball Park.
Tune in to FM 105.5 KD Country, 96.9 FM Roanoke or online at www.kdcountry.com for all the live action beginning at 6:40 p.m. Friday.
Carolina League Stories from July 9, 2009
- Myrtle Beach Offense Silent In Rout - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Blue Crew Never Trail in a Crazy One - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Potomac Drops Series Finale in Seesaw Affair - Potomac Nationals
- Blue Rocks Take Rubber Match from Cats - Hill City Howlers
- Gleason Gets First Carolina League Win in 4-2 Victory - Frederick Keys
- Frederick Gets By Kinston 4-2 - Kinston Indians
- Rain Halts Baseball in Winston; Doubleheader Set for September - Salem RidgeYaks
- Rain Postpones Dash Series Finale With Red Sox - Winston-Salem Dash
- Nationals vs. Pelicans Tonight - Potomac Nationals
- Tribe Talk - Kinston Indians
- A Homestand 60 Years in the Making - Kinston Indians
- Hillcats Game Notes July 9th - Hill City Howlers
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