Blue Crew Never Trails, Regains Sole Ownership of First
Published on August 19, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release
Frederick, MD - Welcome back to first place. Two days after falling from first after a series sweep against Potomac, the Blue Rocks swept a doubleheader from the Frederick Keys, 6-5 and 4-2, while the P-Nats split a double-dip against Winston-Salem on Tuesday night. That means the penthouse Rocks pace Potomac by a half-game yet again in the CL North. Wilmington (69-50, 31-19) never trailed Frederick all night.
The Blue Rocks jumped out to significant advantages in both games. In the opener, Ryan Eigsti hit a two-run homer, his second of the year, to spark a five-run third inning and a 5-0 lead. Johnny Giavotella and Mike Moustakas delivered run-scoring singles in the frame as well. Starter Rick Zagone would not return after the frame.
The Keys responded with a two-spot in the bottom half of the inning on a two-out, two-run double off the bat of Pedro Florimon, Jr. That marked the first runs allowed by starter Danny Gutierrez this season as he made his second start and fifth appearance. The prospect would not get through five innings as back-to-back two-out RBI hits chased him in the fifth. Reliever Louis Coleman allowed an inherited runner to cross on another two-out RBI hit, a single by Robbie Widlansky that tied the game, 5-5. Gutierrez allowed five scores on five hits over a season-best 4.2 innings, walking one and striking out four.
After allowing the game to be tied, the Rocks regained the lead one inning later as Ryan Eigsti delivered a sacrifice fly to score Nick Van Stratten against reliever Brian Parker (4-1). Coleman (1-0) retired six straight men after the run-scoring hit in the fifth and closer Brandon Sisk struck out the lone man he faced, Matt Angle, to bolt down his team-leading 15th save.
The nightcap saw the Rocks grab a 4-0 lead in an ugly contest. Chase Fontaine, who was a late addition to the starting lineup, knocked in the game's first run in the opening inning. One of the Keys' six errors allowed Fontaine to cross the plate in the fourth while Matt Morizio doubled home a second score that same frame to chase starter Pat Egan (1-3). Clint Robinson hit into a double play that produced the fourth tally in the fifth.
Blue Rocks starter Eduardo Paulino (8-6) survived a scary moment when he took a comeback liner off his leg in the third. He lost a shutout bid in the sixth on Brandon Waring's team-leading 23rd home run, a two-run bomb to left. But Paulino worked a pair of weak pop-ups thereafter to end the inning.
Tyler Henson doubled off a tumbling Mike Moustakas at third base in the seventh. Moustakas appeared shaken after the play but stayed in the game. After Ryan Adams popped out, the Rocks brought on reliever Carlos Rivas who induced a couple of groundball outs to end the game and cement his first save.
Paulino went 6.1 innings and allowed two runs on six hits and no walks with a strikeout.
The four-game, three-day series continues on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Wilmington will send right-hander Mario Santiago (6-12, 4.32) against fellow righty Kenny Moreland (3-1, 3.96).
PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:
The doubleheader started 52 minutes late due to a rain delay.
Eduardo Paulino has won five straight starts to draw even with Danny Duffy for the team lead in wins (8). Over his five-game winning streak, Paulino has posted a 1.64 ERA. Brandon Waring's homer against him lifted the Nagua, DR native's total to 14 allowed this season, tying him for the most surrendered in the league.
Potomac won its opener at Winston-Salem, 3-1, but dropped the nightcap, 2-0. The P-Nats played their first games without prospect Chris Marrero who received a Double-A promotion on Monday's league-wide day of rest.
Frederick's six errors in the nightcap mark the most for any Rocks' opponent all season. Pedro Florimon, Jr.'s three miscues in that game are the most for any one opposing player.
The Blue Rocks have swept four of their nine doubleheaders this season.
The Keys' 18-34 record in divisional play is the worst for any CL team.
Carolina League Stories from August 19, 2009
- Comeback Kids Rally Thrice In 9-7 Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- P-Nats Smash Dash in Soggy Contest - Potomac Nationals
- Pelicans Stymied By K-Tribe Pitching In 3-0 Loss - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Dash Offense Continues to Sputter in 9-1 Loss to Nationals - Winston-Salem Dash
- Blue Rocks Come From Behind To Stun Keys - Frederick Keys
- Red Sox Strand Tying Runner at Third in Four Different Innings - Salem RidgeYaks
- Ktribe Beats Myrtle Beach 3-0 - Kinston Indians
- Hillcats Game Notes August 19th - Hill City Howlers
- Nationals Game Notes August 19th - Potomac Nationals
- Red Sox collect 13 hits and five runs in series opener - Hill City Howlers
- Blue Crew Never Trails, Regains Sole Ownership of First - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Birds open series with DH split - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
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