CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Almonte Struggles As Blue Rocks Can't Complete Sweep Of Dash

Published on July 6, 2014 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Winston-Salem, NC - Wilmington was unable to complete a three-game sweep of Winston-Salem on Sunday as the Dash handed the Blue Rocks a 7-1 defeat. The loss dropped the Rocks to 41-44 overall on the season and 8-9 in the second half. It also snapped the team's four-game winning streak.

The Dash took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning Sunday and never looked back. Jacob May tripled to lead off the home half of the frame and then scored on an RBI single by Joey DeMichele.

In the fourth inning, Winston-Salem extended its lead to 2-0 when Jack Lopez committed a throwing error, allowing Nick Basto to reach and Keon Barnum to score. Barnum led off the inning with a double and then scored when Lopez threw away a grounder from Basto.

The Blue Rocks scored their lone run of the game in the top of the fifth inning. Jared Schlehuber doubled to left-center field to kick off the rally. He moved to third on a single from Cody Stubbs and came plateward on a groundout from Terrance Gore.

Winston-Salem broke the game open with a five-spot in the bottom of the fifth inning to go ahead 7-1. The rally began with a one-out double from May. After Keenyn Walker drew a free pass, DeMichele doubled to plate May and move Walker to third. Jason Coats then singled home Walker. Later in the frame, Barnum launched a three-run homer to left to put the game out of reach.

Miguel Almonte (5-4, 4.50) suffered the loss for Wilmington after yielding six runs (five earned) on seven hits over 4.1 innings pitched. Angel Sanchez (1-0, 1.29) earned his first win for Winston-Salem by tossing seven fantastic frames. He yielded only a run on four hits while striking out six.

The Blue Rocks return to action Monday night when they kick off a four-game series in Woodbridge, Virginia, against the Potomac Nationals. Wilmington will send right-hander Luis Santos (1-1, 7.06) to the mound, while Potomac will counter with fellow righty Ian Dickson (1-6, 6.11). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. and fans can listen to the broadcast on 89.7 WGLS-FM.

The Rocks return to Frawley Stadium on July 11 for the first game of a four-game homestand against the Salem Red Sox. For tickets, call 302-888-BLUE or visit BlueRocks.com.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

Sunday afternoon's game was the Blue Rocks' final contest in Winston-Salem this season. The Blue Crew finished 4-5 at BB&T Ballpark in 2014. The two clubs also had a game canceled due to weather on June 11. Wilmington opened the season with a pair of wins at BB&T Ballpark but dropped five of its next seven there. It is the first road venue that the Blue Rocks have wrapped up play at this season.

Since April 21, Miguel Almonte has gone at least five innings in every start but two. Both short outings have come at Winston-Salem against the Dash. Almonte struggled in Sunday afternoon's start against the Winston-Salem Dash. The right-handed hurler tossed 4.1 frames and yielded five runs (six earned) on seven hits. He also issued two free passes. On June 10, Almonte left after the fourth inning with elbow discomfort. Overall this season against the Dash, Almonte is 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA in three starts. He has punched out 10, walked 5 and allowed 14 hits in 14 innings pitched.

Mark Threlkeld and Ramon Torres have continued to impress during their brief tenures in Wilmington. On Sunday, Threlkeld went 1-for-3 with a walk while Torres went 1-for-4. Since joining the Blue Crew from Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Threlkeld is 5-for-11 with two runs and a walk. Torres is 4-for-14 with two runs, a triple, three RBIs and a walk since his promotion from Low-A Lexington. While playing for the Naturals, Threlkeld hit .253 with seven homers, 10 doubles, a triple and 26 RBIs. With the Legends, Torres batted .304 with five homers, 15 doubles, two triples and 25 RBIs in 73 games.

When Cody Stubbs started in right field Sunday, he became the first Blue Rock this season to have appeared at three different positions in the field. Stubbs has played first base, in left field and in right field. He has also been the team's designated hitter this year, as well. Prior to this season, the slugger had not played any position in the field but first base as a professional. Stubbs is batting .197 when he plays first base, .375 when he plays left field and is 1-for-2 now as a right fielder. As the designated hitter, Stubbs has hit .174. Overall, Stubbs is batting .227 this season with six doubles, four triples, 27 RBIs and a team-leading eight homers.

THEY SAID IT:

Manager Darryl Kennedy:

"[Miguel Almonte] didn't have his good stuff. A lot of different arm angles and release points. He was battling his mechanics all day. He didn't have it today. It was a bad day for him. I thought he gutted through the first four innings and then the fifth inning it kind of caught up to him."

"It started in the first inning with the first hitter of the game when Bubba [Starling] goes for a ball he really shouldn't have gone for. You let the guy get a single and let's play from there. He ends up getting a triple and they score a run. With the throwing error, Jack [Lopez] fielded it and I don't think he had a grip on it and tried to throw it anyway. It wasn't one of our best games but...it's baseball and things like that are going to happen. The silver lining in all of this is we won 2-of-3 and took a series. That's what we've got to do. From here on out we need to win series. If, at the cost of winning a series, is playing one bad game, I'm going to take it just to win a series."

"The funny thing is, what a lot of people don't understand, is Winston-Salem is third in the league in pitching. It's not like we should be rolling over and crushing that team. They've got a very good pitching staff. Their team ERA is right behind ours. Normally, you're going to have close guys with those guys. Even though this is a hitter-friendly ballpark they do a very good job of pitching."

"[Mark Threlkeld] takes very good ABs day in and day out. He comes to play. He plays hard, runs the bases hard and he's going to give you a good at-bat"

"I had Ramon [Torres] a couple of years ago in the AZL. I love what he brings on a daily basis. He brings a lot of energy, can steal a base, bunt and he can drive the ball as well. He plays a very good infield, no matter where you put him. He plays a very good shortstop, second base, third base and he gives us a lot of flexibility and depth to our infield."

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Carolina League Stories from July 6, 2014


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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