CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rock Bats Shoot Blanks In 4-1 Loss

Published on May 1, 2007 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - In a season replete with offensive shortcomings, the Blue Rocks hit a new season-low, mustering just one hit in a 4-1 loss to the Frederick Keys on Tuesday night at Frawley Stadium. Frederick starter Brandon Erbe fired six no-hit innings and three relievers combined to yield just one hit over the last three frames, as the Keys defeated the Rocks for the second-straight day. The top pitching prospect in the Baltimore Orioles system, Erbe (2-0) allowed a single run while walking four and fanning six batters. Flame-throwing closer Bob McCrory pitched around a lead-off walk to record his Carolina League-leading seventh save. The combined one-hit pitching effort was the first against the Blue Rocks since four Frederick hurlers turned the trick at Frawley on June 18, 2003.

Kiel Thibault broke up the Frederick staff's bid for a no-no with an opposite field blooper to right against reliever Trent Baysinger to lead off the seventh inning. But, Baysinger recovered to fan the next three batters in succession to end the inning. Thibault was one of only seven Blue Rocks batters to reach base all evening. Erbe allowed just five base runners, retiring 13-in-a-row at one point. He set down the side in order three times.

Wilmington starter Daniel Cortes was shaky in his home debut, lasting just 2.1 innings, surrendering four runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks. Making just his second Blue Rocks start since being retrieved from Royals Extended Spring Training last Thursday, Cortes (0-2) logged the shortest outing of any Wilmington starter this season, getting lifted after a one-out Arturo Rivas double in the third. Piggybacking starter Julio Pimentel relieved Cortes and turned in the longest bullpen outing of the season, tossing 6.2 innings of five-hit ball with two walks and two strikeouts. Pimentel did, however, allow two inherited runners to score in his initial frame on a first-pitch two-run single by Ryan Finan, stretching a 2-1 Keys lead into a three-run bulge.

The night began in auspicious fashion for the 20-year-old Cortes, as he retired the first two batters of the ballgame. But, two walks sandwiched around a Rivas single allowed Pete Maestrales to bat with the bases loaded. The University of Delaware product banged a hard-hit single to center, plating a pair of runs for a 2-0 Frederick lead.

Rivas finished the game 4-for-4 with a double and two runs. Through two games in this series, he 6-for-8 with three extra-base hits and two RBIs.

After setting down the side in order in the second, more trouble awaited Cortes in the third. With one out, newest Blue Rock Marc Maddox booted a routine ground ball at second base allowing Jake Duncan to reach base. Rivas followed with the double that chased Cortes, setting Finan up for his at-bat against Pimentel. Both runs were charged to Cortes, but only one was earned.

Erbe was not without his share of issues early on, as the 19-year-old Owings Mills, MD native walked three of the first four batters he face to load the bags with one out in the first inning. But, as they have been wont to do this year, the Blue Rocks wasted their chance to tag the young pitching prodigy early. A Brian McFall foul-out to catcher Zach Dillon and a fly out to left by Kiel Thibault sent the Rocks away empty handed.

Wilmington's lone run came in the second inning when Andrew Larsen worked a lead-off walk, stole a base, and eventually came home on a Wilver Perez sac fly.

Game three of this four-game set is Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. Right-hander Patrick Green (0-1, 4.11) will oppose Keys righty Chorye Spoon (2-2, 2.82).

GAME NOTES:

Infielder Marc Maddox joined the Blue Rocks after being promoted from Low-A Burlington by the Kansas City Royals organization on Tuesday. The Mississippi native was leading the Bees with a .301 batting average and 17 RBIs, which tied him for fourth in the Midwest League. To make room for Maddox on the active roster, catcher Todd Balduf was placed on the disabled list.

With an 0-for-3 night at the plate and a hit-by-pitch, Kila Kaaihue saw his team-leading eight-game hitting streak evaporate. The eight-gamer by the Hawaiian is tied for the longest Blue Rock hitting streak of the year, matching that of Jose Duarte's stretch from earlier this season.

The 6.2 innings tossed by Julio Pimentel is the longest outing of the season by the Dominican hurler. His previous best was six innings, done twice this year, both in starts.

Regular third baseman Mario Lisson missed his third-straight game after leaving midway through Saturday's game against Winston-Salem with back spasms. Wilver Perez started in his stead once again.

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Carolina League Stories from May 1, 2007


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