CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Errors, Four-Run Sixth Hand Hillcats Series Win

Published on May 5, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


LYNCHBURG, VA-The Blue Rocks battled back from an early 4-0 hole, but a subsequent four-run Lynchburg sixth, to go along with three defensive miscues proved costly, as the Hillcats claimed the series finale 9-4 in the Hill City. Held to a combined six hit over the first two games, Lynchburg pounded out 13 hits, receiving three-hit games from Matt Lipka and David Rohm. Justin Trapp, Daniel Mateo and Jack Lopez all finished with two hits apiece for Wilmington.

The Hillcats wasted little time against John Lamb (2-3), posting four runs in the initial frame. Leading off for the home team, Matt Lipka homered to leftfield to give Lynchburg a quick 1-0 lead. Two batters later, William Beckwith followed it up with an RBI double scoring Tommy La Stella from first. Later in the inning, Beckwith would come home on a triple by David Rohm, while a throwing error by Trapp allowed Rohm to advance home and cap off the four run frame.

However Lynchburg's lead would quickly evaporate, as Wilmington sent all nine men to the plate to bat against Jarrett Miller (3-0) in the second. Following back-to-back singles by Lopez and new Blue Rocks outfielder Alex Hudak, Kenny Swab unloaded with a three-run blast to left to make it a one-run game. Not finished, Wilmington loaded the bases off Miller, thanks to singles by Chris Elder, Trapp and Mateo, before an RBI fielder's choice by Lane Adams allowed the tying run to score. In total, the Blue Crew recorded four runs on six hits in the inning.

Things would stay even until the sixth, when the Hillcats reasserted themselves. On the heels of four scoreless innings, Lamb allowed back-to-back doubles to Rohm and Will Skinner to make it 5-4 Lynchburg. Fernando De Los Santos then followed with an RBI single to bring Lamb's afternoon to a close. Kellen Moen would take his place, allowing a single to Elmer Reyes, before Lipka struck again, this time with a double to rightfield. Ahead by three, the Hillcats stretched their advantage to four on an error by Jack Lopez which brought home Lipka.

Lynchburg added one more unearned tally in the eighth on a one-out double by Lipka and a second error by Trapp at second base. In total, Wilmington would finish with three errors on the day resulting in a pair of unearned runs.

The Blue Rocks return home following the game, and will enjoy their first off-day since April 11 on Monday. The team returns to action Tuesday night, when the team plays its first set against Potomac. Right-hander Kyle Smith (0-1, 2.49) makes his sixth start of the year for the Blue Brew and will be opposed by Nationals righty Blake Schwartz (2-0, 0.00). First pitch is slated for 6:35 from Frawley Stadium. For ticket information call 302-888-BLUE or visit Bluerocks.com.

Pebbles of Knowledge:

By far Wilmington's most productive offensive inning on Sunday came in the second, when the Blue Rocks sent nine men to the plate against Hillcats righty Jarrett Miller. In the inning, Wilmington scored four runs on six hits, while Kenny Swab led the charge with a three-run blast to leftfield. The four-run frame is the first for the club since Thursday night against Salem, when Vance Wilson's club posted four runs in the bottom of the sixth off Red Sox reliever Nefi Ogando. Meanwhile, the four-run second eclipsed the team's total run output over the first two games against the Hillcats. Over Friday and Saturday, the Blue Rocks scored a combined three runs.

Kenny Swab was responsible for driving in three of Wilmington's four runs on Saturday, thanks to his first longball of the season. The three-run shot was his first since September 3, 2012, while playing for Low-A Kane County. Moreover, the homer was just his second hit in a road game this year. In eight games away from Frawley Stadium, Swab is just 2-for-27 (.077), while in games played on the Riverfront he is 5-for-15 (.333).

Following his finest outing of the year against Salem (six innings, two runs), John Lamb battled through five-plus innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits. The six runs and nine hits are both season-worsts for Lamb, but most of the damage was consolidated to the first inning, where the Hillcats posted four runs. By suffering the loss, Lamb remains the only Wilmington starter to receive a decision in all five of starts (losing the odd number ones while winning the even number ones).

After the Blue Crew played a flawless defensive game on Friday night, Wilmington has been plagued by errors over its last two contests. On Saturday, the Blue Crew committed four errors leading to a pair of unearned runs, while on Sunday, the club surrendered a pair of unearned tallies on three errors. The Blue Crew currently leads the Carolina League in defensive miscues (48), and has still yet to play consecutive errorless games this season.

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Carolina League Stories from May 5, 2013


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