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 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Mills Fans 10, But Offense Sputters as Rocks Fall to Dash

May 21, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


WILMINGTON, DE - The Blue Rocks offense could not crack the scoreboard on Thursday night, and the team dropped the series finale against the Winston-Salem Dash by a final score of 2-0. The Rocks fall to 21-18 on the season, while the Dash improve to 17-24. Starting pitcher Alec Mills notched a career-high 10 strike outs, but took the loss while going five innings, allowing both runs of the night to Winston-Salem.

The Dash took the lead in the top of the third inning, scoring what turned out to be the only run they would need. After Nolan Earley flied out to begin the frame, Cleuluis Rondon struck out, but the third strike got away from Cam Gallagher behind the plate, and Rondon made it to first base safely. T.J. Williams would follow with a single that advanced Rondon to third base, then Adam Engel produced a sacrifice fly that brought in Rondon and gave the Dash a 1-0 lead.

Winston-Salem added to their lead in the top of the fourth, and the inning ended in controversy as well. The Dash got three straight singles to open the frame from Trey Michalczewski, Chris Jacobs, and Omar Narvaez to load the bases with no outs. After a Keenyn Walker strike out, Earley produced a run-scoring single to push the Dash lead to 2-0. Rondon would then ground a ball to second base, and during the attempt to turn a double play, Jack Lopez threw the ball away. The Rocks got the twin-killing anyway, however, as interference was called on the play. Both benches cleared as each team argued the call.

Wilmington's first serious chance to get on the scoreboard came in the bottom of the seventh inning, though they could not break through. Dominique Taylor popped out to open the seventh, then was followed by back-to-back singles from Logan Moon and Gallagher. The frame would end with a Dexter Kjerstad strike out and a Ramon Torres pop out, which stranded both runners on base.

The Rocks threatened again in the bottom of the eighth inning, but failed to dent the scoreboard again. With relief pitcher Peter Tago into the game for the Dash, Wilmington loaded the bases with one out via three walks from Lopez, Mauricio Ramos, and Robert Pehl. The threat would end, however, when Taylor grounded into a double play to end the frame.

The Rocks continue their seven-game homestand on Friday when they welcome the Carolina Mudcats to town for a four-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., and fans can listen to the broadcast on 89.7 WGLS-FM.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

For the second consecutive game and the third time this season, a Blue Rock pitcher struck out double-digit batters. Alex Mills fanned 10 men on Thursday, a day after Cody Reed struck out 11 batters. Eric Skoglund was the first Rock to accomplish the feat, when he accumulated 10 punch-outs on May 16 against the Lynchburg Hillcats. The Blue Crew enjoyed four double-digit strike out games from starters a season ago, with the most recent also being the 2014 season-high for the Rocks when Sean Manaea fanned 12 batters on August 29 against the Potomac Nationals.

The Blue Rocks struggled with runners in scoring position in game one of the series, and although they righted the ship on Wednesday, that same problem reared its head on Thursday night. In the series opener, the Rocks went a combined 1-for-10 with runners on second and/or third base, but still found a way to walk off with the 2-1 victory in 12 innings. Thursday evening, Wilmington was shut out for the fifth time this season (and the fourth time in the month of May), as they went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Over the three-game series against Winston-Salem, the Blue Crew produced a 6-for-29 showing with runners in scoring position, good for a .207 batting average.

Winston-Salem starter Robinson Leyer lasted six innings on Thursday night, and the pitcher he handed the game off to in the seventh was his brother Euclides Leyer. Euclides entered the Chicago White Sox organization as a free agent in February of 2010. He spent his entire 2014 season with the Dash, pitching to a 1-3 record with a 4.53 ERA in 34 games. Thursday marked his third appearance of 2015, and he has yet to give up a run this season. Robinson was also a free agent signing, beginning his career in 2012. This is his first season with Winston-Salem, and he is now 1-4 with a 4.08 ERA in eight games this year.

Ashton Goudeau made his Adv.-A level debut on Thursday for the Blue Rocks. The right-handed reliever was originally a 27th round pick in the 2012 draft by the Kansas City Royals out of Maple Woods Community College. He began the year with Low-A Lexington, where he pitched to a 1-0 record with a 3.06 ERA in seven games out of the bullpen. On Thursday, Goudeau threw three scoreless innings in his debut, allowing two hits and striking out three.

THEY SAID IT:

Manager Brian Buchanan:

"We had a chance there in the eighth, that was really our only opportunity. We kind of let that guy off the hook when we hit into that double play."

"(Robinson Leyer) has a good arm. I know his numbers aren't that great but he threw the ball pretty well."

"They didn't hit (Alec Mills) very hard. He had that strikeout that got by. I really think they only hit two balls solidly and had the sac fly. He didn't pitch too poorly. They just placed some balls, and then obviously the hit and run (by T.J. Williams) was a good play on their part that led to a run. He had a good little breaking ball and he's deceptive with his delivery, I think that's the biggest thing for him. He threw the ball well, I just think his pitch count was up a little bit. It was just the fourth inning. I don't know how many pitches he threw that inning, but I know it was a lot. We just want to be careful with him. I probably would have made that decision with anybody. When a guy gets to the fourth or the fifth and he's thrown a lot of pitches you just have to watch him."

Starting Pitcher Alec Mills:

"I definitely felt good with my stuff tonight, but...I've got to make that fourth inning quicker. If I want to be a starter, I've got to be able to go further than five."

"I thought I was getting ahead early. I was attacking the strike zone. All of my pitches were working pretty well tonight. I felt like me and Cam (Gallagher) were on the same page early so that definitely helps when you're in sync with the catcher."

"(I am) definitely (comfortable as a starter). I think that's where I can pitch the best but I'm down to do anything. Pitching is pitching, I love it."

Catcher Cam Gallagher:

"All the pitchers and relievers have been doing really well. (They have) come in and got ahead against a lot of the batters and put them away. (They) get ahead (a lot) throwing strikes, once you get behind in the count it is in the hitters favor, so they are pitching really well and getting ahead a lot. The strikeouts isn't what we preach but (they have) been up there pretty good every game. (The pitchers) are doing their job every night, day in and day out, giving us a chance. Tonight we didn't swing the bat as well as we should but we still (had a chance to win.)"

"(The Winston-Salem Dash) are a team that we look to jump on early and first time through the order. (Alec Mills) threw fastballs to try to get themselves down. (The) Second and third time through the lineup we kind of mixed it a bit. (Mills's) changeup is usually not his best pitch but tonight it was on and he was throwing a lot of strikes. His off-speed curveballs were perfect to get the strikeouts."

"I thought I had (Cleuluis Rondon on the sac fly.) The ball was coming from right field and it was kind of hard to see the runner coming. It was a great throw and I guess he beat it. The call is the umpire's call, so there is nothing I can do about it."

"(Robinson Leyer) threw a lot (of pitches) like Alec (Mills) to kind of get ahead (in the count). We didn't have any timely hitting and we got the bases loaded and we didn't come through. We just have to keep swinging the bat and tomorrow is a new day."


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Carolina League Stories from May 21, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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