CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Big Night for Melendez Keys Rocks' Rally in Frederick

Published on June 28, 2019 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Frederick, MD - Opportunistic offense and stellar pitching helped the Wilmington Blue Rocks to a 6-1 win over the Frederick Keys on Friday at Nymeo Field. The Rocks scored two runs courtesy of bad throws by Frederick plus another on a passed ball. MJ Melendez was on base five times, driving in a pair and scoring another. Meanwhile, three pitchers combined to fan nine and walk none while holding the Keys to just a single score.

Starter Jonathan Bowlen yielded just one run during six innings for the Blue Crew. Bowlan (2-0) whiffed seven, which helped him work around seven hits. The Keys got their only tally in the second on a Kirvin Moesquit single to right.

Wilmington tied the game in the fourth. The Rocks got on the board thanks to some aggressive baserunning and bad defense. Melendez stole second and Keys catcher Jean Carillo bluffed a throw to get him before tossing behind Brewer Hicklen at third. Carillo airmailed the ball into left field and Hicklen trotted home.

The Blue Crew went ahead in the sixth on a wild pitch from reliever Luis Perez that plated Michael Gigliotti. Melendez padded the lead with an RBI-single to right. Wilmington got some more insurance in the eighth when Nick Pratto's liner to center scored Melendez. Then in the ninth the Rocks got their last runs courtesy of a passed ball by Carillo and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Melendez.

Holden Capps tossed two scoreless frames out of the 'pen for the Rocks and then Austin Lambright closed the night out with a one-two-three ninth.

The Rocks continue their four-game series in Frederick on Saturday. Rito Lugo hits the hill for Wilmington and first pitch is slated for 6 p.m. Fans can catch all of the action with the Voice of the Blue Rocks, Cory Nidoh, on 89.7 WGLS-FM.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

The Rocks are set to close out a regular season series for the first time in 2019. Wilmington is playing its final set of the year against Frederick this weekend. The Rocks won Thursday and have now taken six of their last nine against the Keys. Wilmington also improved its record to 3-3 this year at Nymeo Field. Coming into the game it had been the only ballpark where the Blue Crew have a losing record in 2019.

Jonathan Bowlan turned in the second consecutive quality start of his Advanced-A career in as many tries. The righty allowed just one run in six frames, fanning seven and walking none. Wilmington starters have dominated Frederick of late. The Keys have managed just three earned runs against the starting rotation in their last six games versus the Blue Crew.

Entering Friday MJ Melendez had just four hits in his first 28 at bats against the Frederick Keys. The 20-year-old catcher got on base five times on Friday alone. Melendez went 3-for-3 with two walks, two RBI and a run scored. The effort raised his batting average to .172, which is the highest it has been since April 6--after the season's third game.

Wilmington won on Friday for the 23rd time this season when its opponent managed more hits.

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Carolina League Stories from June 28, 2019


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