Bases-Loaded Walk in Ninth Leads Rocks to Win

Published on July 5, 2014 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release

Winston-Salem, NC - Ramon Torres' bases-loaded walk in the top of the ninth inning lifted the Wilmington Blue Rocks to a 3-2 triumph over the Winston-Salem Dash on Saturday night at BB&T Ballpark. Torres' free pass came after he fell behind in the count 0-2, but four straight misses by reliever Zach Isler (1-5) plated Bubba Starling and Wilmington had its fourth straight win. The victory lifted the Rocks' second-half record back to .500 (8-8) and improved their overall mark to 41-43 in 2014.

Starling opened the ninth inning with a walk. The center fielder had turned in the play of the game with a leaping catch against the wall in right-center in the previous half inning, and followed it up by working a full count and then drawing the free pass. Mark Threlkeld followed with a bloop single to right. After Michael Antonio laid down a sacrifice bunt, the Dash were anticipating a suicide squeeze try from Zane Evans. Twice Isler pitched out, but nothing was on. That helped Evans draw a base on balls that loaded the bases. Torres followed with his incredible at bat that put the Rocks in front to stay.

The rest of the Rocks' offense came courtesy of one swing of the bat by Cody Stubbs. After Torres singled to start the sixth inning, Stubbs turned a one-run deficit into a 2-1 lead by homering off of Winston-Salem starter Terance Marin.

Daniel Stumpf could not hold the advantage, however. The left-hander yielded a run on a bases-loaded swinging-bunt single off the bat of Grant Buckner in the bottom half of the frame. The Dash nearly went ahead when Omar Navarez followed with a fly ball to shallow center, but Starling made the catch and came up throwing. The former high school quarterback gunned down Keon Barnum at the plate.

The victory went to Zeb Sneed (3-1), who worked a scoreless eighth inning out of the bullpen. Wilmington closer Mark Peterson held the Dash at bay in the ninth to earn his 16th save of the campaign in 18 tries.

The Blue Rocks return to action Sunday night when they wrap up this three-game series with the Dash. Wilmington will send right-hander Miguel Almonte (5-3, 4.17) to the mound, while Winston-Salem will counter with righty Angel Sanchez. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. and fans can listen to the broadcast on 89.7 WGLS-FM.

Carolina League Stories from July 5, 2014

• Yastrzemski Hits for Cycle in Keys Romp - Frederick Keys
• Potomac Takes Two from Birds - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
• Bases-Loaded Walk in Ninth Leads Rocks to Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Nationals Sweep Twin Bill, Jettison Into First Place - Potomac Nationals
• Another Big Crowd Watches Blue Rocks Walk Past Dash - Winston-Salem Dash
• Hillcats Downed by Frederick, 17-3 - Hill City Howlers
• Salem Escapes with 3-2 Win - Salem RidgeYaks
• Red Sox Evade Mudcats to Even Series - Carolina Mudcats
• Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes (July 5 vs. Wilmington) - Winston-Salem Dash
• Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
• Wilmington Blue Rocks Game Notes - Wilmington Blue Rocks
• Salem Red Sox Game Notes - Salem RidgeYaks
• Pelicans Game Notes: 5:00 at Potomac Nationals - July 5, 2014 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans

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