CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks Game Notes

Published on August 29, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


BRETT'S BOMB: It was only a matter of time until he broke out. Stuck in a 0-for-24 drought, Brett Eibner had a pair of extra base-hits, including a go-ahead two-run dinger in the sixth that proved the difference. Thanks to his efforts, the Wilmington Blue Rocks bested the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, 6-5.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: With Frederick's 1-0 loss at Salem, the Rocks saw their first-place lead rise to 2.0 games over the defending champion Keys. Wilmington, Frederick and Potomac are all within 3.0 games of each other for the division's second-half playoff spot. The four-time CL champion Blue Rocks are attempting to make their first playoff appearance since pacing the loop with 84 wins in 2009.

CLOSE THE DOOR: On August 9, Winston-Salem blew out the Blue Rocks in a rubber match, 9-2. After stealing game one of the series, 2-1, the Rocks were outscored 17-2 the next two nights. After the demoralizing loss, first-year manager Vance Wilson held a closed-door meeting with his team. Since that chat, the Rocks have posted the league's best record at 13-7 (.650). Only two other teams, both playoff squads, have won double-digit games in that time: Winston-Salem (11-6, .647) and Lynchburg (10-8, .556).

CLOSE CALLS: The Blue Rocks played in their league-high 50th one-run contest of the year last night. Wilmington has played the fourth-most one-run games in the minors, trailing Triple-A Iowa (54), Advanced-A Brevard County (54) and Low-A Great Lakes (51). They Rocks are 25-25 in those ballgames. The 25 wins tie Lynchburg for the most one-run victories in the loop.

THEY GET KNOCKED DOWN, BUT THEY GET UP AGAIN: Wilmington notched its 31st come-from-behind victory of the season. Those comeback-style triumphs represent 49% of their total win mark.

HOME DEFENSE: The Blue Rocks have guaranteed themselves at least a .500 mark at home against the Fightin' Feathers. Wilmington has won at least five games or more at Frawley Stadium against the Pelicans for the last three years. The last time the Pelicans had a winning mark on the Riverfront was back in 2008 when they claimed eight of 10 games.

NO HITS FOR YOU!: Edwin Carl has been unreal of late. Over his last four appearances, he has not allowed a hit. He has racked up 10 innings in that time, allowing just two walks while striking out 12. Since the start of the streak, he has lowered his ERA nearly a full point (5.02 to 4.08). Carl has appeared in 21 games. Thirteen of those have been scoreless outings, while he has allowed multiple runs in the other eight. He is tied for fourth on the team in strikeouts with 56. Carl has needed only 53 innings to reach his mark. The three players ahead of him have thrown at least 76.1 innings or more.

NORTH WIND: This marks Wilmington's final series against a Southern Division squad. The Rocks are just 30-48 (.385) against those teams, including a 7-11 (.389) mark versus Myrtle Beach. Conversely, the Rocks are 33-24 (.579) in intradivisional competition including a 12-5 (.706) mark against the foe for their last regular-season series, Potomac.

IT'S MAGIC TIME: The Blue Rocks magic number to clinch a playoff berth sits at four with the Frederick Keys. Barring a Potomac comeback, any combination of Blue Rocks wins and Keys losses totaling four by regular season's end will mean a playoff berth for Wilmington for the first time since 2009.

HOME SWEET HOME: The remainder of Wilmington's regular season will be played in the friendly confines of Frawley Stadium where the Rocks are 35-30 (.538). The Rocks have won eight of their last nine on the Riverfront.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from August 29, 2012


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