Rocks Register First Shutout of the Season

Published on May 3, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release

Lynchburg, VA - The Wilmington Blue Rocks entered the eighth inning without a base hit, but they got two in the penultimate frame on Friday, including an RBI single by Kenny Diekroeger that lifted the Blue Crew to a 1-0 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats. After dropping a season-worst seven straight games, Friday marked Wilmington's season-high fourth straight win.

Geulin Beltre broke up Lynchburg's no-hit bid when he opened the eighth with a liner to right. It would have gone for extra bases, but Beltre limped his way to first in apparent pain. He departed in favor of pinch runner Lane Adams, who went to second on Jack Lopez's perfectly executed sacrifice bunt. Diekroeger wasted little time breaking the scoreless tie, as he lined the second pitch he saw into right, plating Adams for the only run of the night.

It was the pitching of Aaron Brooks and Spencer Patton that carried Wilmington to a win however. Brooks allowed a one-out single in the opening inning, and then did not let another man on base until the sixth. He retired 14 straight and ended his night after a season-high six innings, allowing no runs and only two hits.

Patton (3-0) entered in the seventh, and although he allowed a single to the first batter he faced, he never let the Hillcats put a runner in scoring position on his way to the triumph. Patton struck out the side in the eighth and induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play off the bat of William Beckwith in the ninth.

The Rocks look to stay hot as they continue their mini three-game road trip to Lynchburg on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. The top prospect in the Kansas City system hits the mound for the Blue Crew, as Kyle Zimmer (0-2, 4.76) goes against Lynchburg righty A.J. Holland (2-1, 3.38).

Carolina League Stories from May 3, 2013

• Sox Walloped by Dash 10-1 on Friday Night - Salem RidgeYaks
• Mudcats Drop Heartbreaker to Keys in Extras - Carolina Mudcats
• Chavez RBI-Double Bolsters Keys - Frederick Keys
• Rocks Register First Shutout of the Season - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Tracy Blasts Winston-Salem Past Red Sox - Winston-Salem Dash
• Pelicans Squashed by Slugging Nats - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• 'Cats Drop Pitchers Duel to Blue Rocks - Hill City Howlers
• Salem Red Sox Game Notes - Salem RidgeYaks
• Wilmington Blue Rocks Game Notes - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
• Zimmerman Rejoins Washington - Potomac Nationals
• Pelicans Media Notes at Potomac - Game 1 of 3 - 7:05 p.m. EST - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (May 3 vs. Salem) - Winston-Salem Dash

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