CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks 2004 season in review

Published on October 20, 2004 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


2004 SUMMARY: The Blue Rocks finished in third place of the Carolina League's Northern Division with a 33-36 record and four games back of first-place Potomac during the first half of the regular season under second-year manager Billy Gardner Jr. Potomac finished with a 37-32 record during the first half and qualified for the postseason for the first time since 1995. Wilmington compiled a 44-26 record during the second half and finished in first place, 12 games ahead of second place Frederick. The Rocks advanced to the postseason for the fourth straight year and for the 10th time in 12 seasons. It marked the second time in club history that the Blue Rocks qualified for the postseason in four consecutive seasons. The Blue Rocks defeated Potomac, two games to one, to capture the 2004 Northern Division title. Wilmington won the first two games of the Mills Cup Championship Series, but lost three in a row, all at home, to the Carolina League champion Kinston Indians.

CAROLINA LEAGUE'S TOP DRAW: The Rocks led the Carolina League in attendance and average attendance for the seventh straight season, drawing 320,788 (an average of 4,860) in 66 home dates during the 2004 regular season. Wilmington experienced four rainouts at Frawley Stadium in 2004. The Blue Rocks have drawn 300,000 or more in each of their 12 seasons in the Carolina League.

LONG-TERM SUCCESS: The Wilmington Blue Rocks have compiled the best winning percentage of all full-season minor league clubs for the last 12 years (1993-2004).

Top 10 Over The Last 12 Years
Rank Team League Record
1. Wilmington Carolina 943-728 (.564)
2. Modesto California 939-733 (.562)
3. Buffalo International 952-773 (.552)
4. Kinston Carolina 915-746 (.551)
5. Louisville International 926-798 (.537)
6. Kane County Midwest 886-770 (.535)
7. Capital City/Col South Atlantic 881-780 (.530)
8. Birmingham Southern 886-792 (.528)
9. Dunedin Florida State 860-776 (.526)
10. Columbus International 894-813 (.524)


END OF AN ERA: The Wilmington Blue Rocks and Kansas City Royals ended a 12-year relationship at the conclusion of the 2004 Carolina League season by not renewing the player development contact (PDC) between the two organizations. The 12-year relationship was the third longest running agreement between parent club and minor league affiliate in the Carolina League. The Kinston Indians and Cleveland Indians began their affiliation in 1987. The Frederick Keys have been affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles since 1989. On Tuesday, September 21, 2004, the Blue Rocks announced a two-year PDC agreement with the Boston Red Sox.

THE FRIENDLY CONFINES: The Blue Rocks compiled the second-best home record during the 2004 regular season. Wilmington has had a winning record at home during the regular season in 10 of their 12 seasons in the Carolina League, including four in a row since 2001.

2004 Home Records
Club W L
Kinston 49 21
Wilmington 43 28
Myrtle Beach 39 30
Salem 38 30
Potomac 36 33
Winston-Salem 36 34
Lynchburg 28 40
Frederick 28 42

ROAD WARRIORS: Wilmington compiled the fourth-best road record in the Carolina League during the regular season, finishing 34-34 away from home. The Rocks have finished .500 or better on the road in eight of their 12 seasons in the Carolina League. The Rocks went 19-13 on the road during the second half of the season. The Blue Rocks had one game wiped out in Myrtle Beach on May 30 with the two clubs finishing in a 1-1 tie through eight innings. The Blue Rocks and Lynchburg Hillcats had a game washed out by rain in Lynchburg during the second half and it was made up as a home game for the Blue Rocks at Frawley Stadium.

2004 Away Records
Club W L
Kinston 39 29
Winston-Salem 38 32
Myrtle Beach 36 33
Wilmington 34 34
Potomac 31 39
Lynchburg 29 41
Salem 27 44
Frederick 24 45


NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Wilmington compiled a 38-22 record against the three clubs from the Northern Division (Frederick, Potomac, and Lynchburg). The Blue Rocks went 12-8 against the Frederick Keys, winning six of the 10 meetings at both Frawley and Harry Grove Stadium. The Rocks went 14-6 against Lynchburg, winning nine of 11 at Frawley and five of the nine meetings in Lynchburg. The Rocks went 12-8 against the Cannons, winning seven of 10 at Frawley and winning five of 10 at Pfitzner Stadium.

SOUTHERN COMFORT: The Blue Rocks went 39-40 against clubs from the Southern Division (Kinston, Myrtle Beach, Salem, and Winston-Salem). Wilmington was the only club in the Carolina League to compile a winning record against Kinston during the regular season. The Rocks won 12 of the 20 meetings between the two clubs in 2004. The Blue Rocks won seven of 10 against Kinston at Frawley and split the 10 meetings at Grainger Stadium. Wilmington went 11-9 against Winston-Salem, going 4-6 at Ernie Shore Field, while winning seven of the 10 meetings against the Warthogs at Frawley. The Blue Rocks went 9-11 against Salem and 7-12 against Myrtle Beach during the 2004 regular season. Salem won six of 10 at Frawley and split the 10 meetings with the Blue Rocks in Salem. The Pelicans won seven of the 10 meetings at Frawley and five of the nine at Coastal Federal Field.

THE 2004 ROSTER: The Blue Rocks used 38 different players during the 2004 regular season. Angel Sanchez did not appear in a regular season game, but was active and appeared in one postseason game for the Blue Rocks. The Rocks had 17 different players, who had appeared in Wilmington prior to the 2004 season.

MILESTONE VICTORY: The Blue Rocks defeated the Potomac Cannons, 7-5, to open up the second half of the 2004 regular season and it marked the franchise's 900th win, dating back to 1993. The Blue Rocks need 57 wins to reach the 1000-win plateau since entering the Carolina League in 1993.

MILESTONE LOSS: Wilmington fell at Potomac, 7-4, on June 15, marking the 700th loss in franchise history. The Blue Rocks are 72 losses away from 800.

THE POSTSEASON: The Blue Rocks captured the Northern Division championship by defeating the Potomac Cannons, two games to one, in the divisional series. The Rocks blanked Potomac, 4-0, in Game Three to advance to the Championship Series for the first time since 2001 and for the eighth time in franchise history. The Rocks won the first two games of the Mills Cup Championship Series in Kinston, but returned home and lost three in a row to the Indians. The Indians won their first Carolina League title since 1995. The Cleveland Indians had four of their minor league clubs win championship titles in 2004. The Blue Rocks all-time postseason record is 25-21.

TOP HONORS: The Carolina League recognized Chris Kemple, general manager of the Wilmington Blue Rocks, as the Carolina League's Executive of the Year for 2004. Kemple earned the league's top executive honor for the third straight year and for the fifth time since Wilmington's inaugural season in 1993. Throughout his tenure, Kemple has been instrumental in hosting three all-star games in Wilmington (1994, 1998, 2002) and the franchise has been recognized with the prestigious Bob Freitas Award (1999) and the Larry MacPhail Award (1996) for the best promotions in minor league baseball.

WEEKLY HONORS: Donnie Murphy was touted as the Carolina League's "Batter of the Week" for the week of June 7-13 and Matt Tupman won weekly honors for August 2-8. Eric Ackerman won "Pitcher of the Week" honors for the first week of the regular season (April 8-18). Jonah Bayliss was recognized with weekly honors for June 21-27. Devon Lowery won weekly honors on two different occasions (June 28-July 4 & July 19-25).

ALL-STAR SELECTIONS: Mike Aviles, Darren Fenster, Trae McGill, and Donnie Murphy were all named to the Carolina League's mid-season all-star team. Aviles and Shane Costa were named to the Carolina League's postseason all-star team.

PROMOTIONS: The Blue Rocks had only three players promoted to Double-A Wichita during the 2004 regular season. Darren Fenster, Colt Griffin, and Shaun Shiery were all promoted to Double-A Wichita during the regular season. Fenster and Griffin both finished the season with Wichita and Shiery retired during the season. Danny Tamayo was sent down from Double-A and sent back up on May 22.

TRADE WINDS: The Blue Rocks had only one player involved in a trade transaction during the regular season and it came on Opening Night. Chris Fallon and former Blue Rocks hurler, Zach McClellan, were both sent to the Colorado Rockies for relief pitcher Justin Huisman.

ERA TITLE: Trae McGill led the Carolina League with a 2.08 ERA during the 2004 regular season. McGill is the fifth Wilmington hurler to win the league's ERA title since 1993. The 26-year-old won his first nine decisions of the season and was named to the mid-season Carolina League All-Star team. McGill missed a month of the season due to stiffness in his right forearm and shoulder fatigue. McGill went 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA in 12 games (11 starts) at home during the regular season.

THE PITCHING WAS KEY: The Rocks pitching staff led the Carolina League with a 3.40 earned run average during the regular season. It marked the sixth time in club history that the pitching staff led the league in ERA. Trae McGill (1st) and Devon Lowery (8th) both finished in the Top 10 in earned run average. The Blue Rocks combined on nine shutouts during the regular season and two more during the postseason. The Blue Rocks pitching staff was last in the league with 835 strikeouts.

Year ERA Lg. Ranking Year ERA Lg. Ranking
1993 3.32 2nd 1999 3.99 4th
1994 2.96 1st 2000 3.89 3rd
1995 2.84 1st 2001 3.27 4th
1996 3.53 1st 2002 3.20 2nd
1997 4.36 7th 2003 2.92 1st
1998 2.97 1st 2004 3.40 1st

10-GAME WINNERS: The Blue Rocks did not have one 10-game winner in 2004. Trae McGill and Devon Lowery paced the staff with nine wins each. It marks only the third time (1997, 99, 2004) in franchise history where the Blue Rocks did not have one pitcher win 10 or more games in a season.







NINE WAS ENOUGH: Trae McGill won his first nine decisions of the 2004 regular season, which ties for second most consecutive wins in franchise history. McGill is the second pitcher in two seasons to win nine straight decisions. Zack Greinke won his first nine decisions in 2003. Carlos Paredes won 10 straight decisions from June 15, 1998 to August 24, 1999.
Consecutive Wins For a Wilmington Pitcher:
10, Carlos Paredes, June 15, 1998-August 24, 1999
9, Trae McGill (April 14-July 10, 2004)
9, Zack Greinke (April 4-June 5, 2004)
9, Eric Anderson (May 20-August 9, 1996)
9, Tim Byrdak (May 28-August 30, 1995)
9, Bart Evans (May 2-August 9, 1994

THE CLOSER: Ryan Braun notched 24 saves during the 2004 regular season, tying him with Jeff Smith for second on the single-season saves list for the Blue Rocks. Braun went 1-1 with eight saves and a 0.00 ERA in 13 relief appearances during the month of July. Steve Prihoda holds the single-season record with 25 saves in 1996.

GETTING IN THE GAME: The Blue Rocks had three different relief pitchers with 50 or more appearances during the 2004 regular season. Barry Armitage was fifth in the league with 53 appearances. Ryan Braun and Nate Hoelscher both appeared in 51 games during the season.

THE GOPHER BALL: The Blue Rocks pitching staff allowed 77 home runs during the regular season, second fewest allowed in 2004. Devon Lowery allowed a team-high 16 during the regular season, fourth most in the league.

WHO'S IN CHARGE: The Blue Rocks had three different pitching coaches during the regular season for the second straight year. Reggie Jackson began his first season with the Kansas City Royals as the pitching coach with the Blue Rocks, but was fired by the Royals on June 19. Randy Smith joined the club in June and left the club in August to return to his teaching job in Arkansas. Royal Clayton served as Wilmington's pitching coach at the conclusion of the regular season and during the playoffs.

ON THE OFFENSIVE: The Blue Rocks finished with a .262 team batting average during the regular season, fifth-best team batting average in the Carolina League. The Rocks finished last in home runs for the second straight season with 59 and fourth in runs scored with 618. Wilmington went 35-14 when hitting a home run in a game in 2004. The Rocks went the first 13 games of the season without a home run and were the last full-season minor league club to hit a home run to open the season.

Home Run Breakdown: Total- 59; Home- 26; Away- 33; Solo- 28, 2-R HR- 20; 3-R HR- 10; GS- 1; April- 7; May- 8; June- 11; July- 11; August- 17; September- 5; Postseason Total- 8.



GRAND SLAMS: Adam Keim hit Wilmington's only grand slam during the regular season. Keim went 2-for-4 with five RBI in a win over Winston-Salem on August 9 at Frawley. His grand slam came against Byeong Hak An. Damaso Espino hit a grand slam in Game Two of the 2004 Mills Cup Championship Series against Kinston's Keith Ramsey. It was Wilmington's first postseason grand slam in team history. The Blue Rocks have hit 23 grand slams, dating back to 1993.

DOUBLE DIPS: The Blue Rocks played 10 doubleheaders in 2004. The Rocks swept five, were swept once, and split four other doubleheaders during the season.

WALK-OFF WINS: The Blue Rocks had eight walk-off victories at Frawley Stadium during the 2004 season. Mitch Maier hit a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning in a 6-5 win over Frederick on September 4. It was Wilmington's first walk-off win with a home run since Alexis Gomez ended a 16-inning game against Potomac on June 24, 2000 with a home run. The Rocks were 18-16 in games decided in the final at-bat during the season.

WALK-OFF DEFEATS: Wilmington lost six games on the road in the opponents final turn at-bat in 2004, including three losses at Salem against the Avalanche. Salem has won seven games in walk-off fashion against Wilmington over the last two seasons.

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE: The Blue Rocks led the Carolina League with 257 doubles during the regular season. Darren Fenster established a franchise record with four doubles in a game on May 5 in a victory versus Potomac. Mike Aviles established a franchise record and led the entire league with 40 doubles during the 2004 regular season. The Blue Rocks team record for doubles in a season is 258, established in 1998.

ONE-RUN AFFAIRS: The Blue Rocks played in a league-high 55 one-run games during the 2004 regular season, going 28-27 in one-run affairs. The Blue Rocks had 90 games decided by three runs or less during the regular season.

THE HIT CLUB: The Blue Rocks had five players collect 100 or more hits during the 2004 regular season. Mike Aviles and Shane Costa tied for the club lead with 139 hits. The other hitters to collect 100 or more hits were Donnie Murphy (123), Damaso Espino (120), and Bernard Stephens (107).

CHANGE IS GOOD: Billy Gardner did not use the same lineup in back-to-back games for the first 66 games of the 2004 regular season. The Rocks used the same lineup for the first time in game No. 67 and 68 on June 18-19.






APRIL: The Blue Rocks went 12-10 during the first month of the regular season. The Rocks managed only seven home runs over their first 22 games in April. Mike Aviles hit .329 (25-for-76) with five doubles, three home runs and 19 RBI in the month. Donnie Murphy hit .326 with 10 extra-base hits and 17 runs batted in. Trae McGill went 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA in five games (three starts) in April. Ryan Braun notched five saves during the first month.

MAY: The Blue Rocks suffered their first losing month since June of 2003 with a 12-16 record during the month of May. The Blue Rocks hit .270 as a team during the month with Damaso Espino hitting .290 (31-for-107) with four extra-base hits and 16 RBI. Matt Tupman hit two of Wilmington's eight home runs during the month and was the only Wilmington hitter with more than one in May. Trae McGill went 3-0 with a 2.21 ERA in six starts and Eric Ackerman notched three wins to lead the pitching staff.

JUNE: Wilmington suffered it's second straight losing month by going 12-13 during the month of June. It marked the first time since 2001 that the Blue Rocks endured back-to-back losing months. Shane Costa hit .301 (22-for-73) with three extra-base hits and 10 RBI. Drew Endicott won three games in seven relief outings. Trae McGill went 2-0 to run his season record to 8-0 on the season.

JULY: The Blue Rocks turned things around in July by going 17-11. Devon Lowery went 4-0 with a 2.00 ERA in six starts during the month. Shane Costa hit .396 with seven doubles, a triple, three home runs and 14 RBI. Bernard Stephens hit .330 with three home runs, 18 RBI and began his team-high 16-game hitting streak on July 17. Mike Aviles hit in 11 in a row from July 19-31. Ryan Braun went 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA and eight saves in 15 relief appearances.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER: The Blue Rocks went a combined 24-12 during August and early September. The Rocks hit 17 home runs during the month of August, the most of any month during the season. Adam Keim hit .307 with five home runs and 17 RBI during the month of August. Jason Kaanoi went 4-0 with a 1.64 ERA in six games (five starts) during the month.














BIG LEAGUE DEBUTS: For the second time in club history, Wilmington had 10 different former players make their major league debuts in the same season. Andres Blanco was the first to make his big league debut with Kansas City on April 17. Eduardo Villacis made his big league debut with Kansas City at Yankee Stadium on May 1. Zack Greinke made his debut on May 22 at Oakland. Byron Gettis made his debut with the Royals on May 27. Matt Treanor made his big league debut with the Florida Marlins on June 2. Mike Tonis made his first appearance at the big league level with the Royals on June 20 at Philadelphia. Ruben Gotay saw his first big league action with the Royals on August 3. Jorge Vasquez made his first big league appearance for Kansas City on August 13. Paul Phillips made his first appearance at the big league level on September 9 with Kansas City. Donnie Murphy became the first player to play in Wilmington in 2004 to make it to the big leagues, debuting on September 18. The Blue Rocks have had 75 former players make it to the big leagues since their inaugural season in 1993.

Year-By-Year Breakdown
Year of Debut # of Debuts Year of Debut # of Debuts
1993 0 1999 6
1994 1 2000 5
1995 7 2001 7
1996 7 2002 10
1997 8 2003 7
1998 7 2004 10

2004 BLUE ROCKS PLAYER REVIEW

PITCHERS

Eric Ackerman (LHP) – Began the season as a member of the starting rotation and moved to the bullpen after making five starts...notched four of his six victories out of the bullpen...went 0-4 with a 5.21 ERA in 20 games on the road...went 0-3 with a 12.00 ERA in four starts during the month of April...was tabbed as the Carolina League's Pitcher of the Week (April 8-18)...opposing batting average against was .333...club went 4-5 in his nine regular season starts...inherited 16 runners out of the bullpen and five scored.

Barry Armitage (RHP) – Led all relievers with 53 appearances out of the bullpen in 2004...appeared in 83 games over the last two seasons in Wilmington...established a career-high with 11 saves with nine coming at home...held opponents to a .214 batting average...allowed only four home runs in 86.1 innings of work...struck out a season-high eight and notched his first win of the season at home versus Potomac in game two of a doubleheader on May 4...inherited 25 runners during the regular season and allowed only five to score.

Jonah Bayliss (RHP) – Club went 14-10 in his 24 starts during the regular season...allowed 20 first inning runs and went five innings or less in 15 of his 24 starts...Placed on the disabled list with a strained right lat on April 25 and activated on May 11...notched a victory in Game Two (his only postseason appearance) of the Carolina League Championship Series at Kinston (7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)...eight strikeouts in postseason appearance equaled his season-high during the regular season (vs. Kinston on August 1).

Ryan Braun (RHP) – Recorded a team-high 24 saves during the regular season, tying him for second in the single-season saves list...held opponents to a .227 batting average against during the regular season...did not allow a single run over his first nine appearances of the season and no earned runs over his first 10 appearances of the season, spanning 11.2 innings...went 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA and eight saves in 13 relief appearances during the month of July...15 of his team-high 24 saves came on the road...inherited 10 runners during the regular season and only two scored...notched a save in Game Three of the Northern Division Championship Series against the Potomac Cannons.

Steve Bray (RHP) – Received from Single-A Burlington (MWL) on April 27 and was sent back to Burlington on May 7...in his first stint with the Blue Rocks, he went notched one victory in three relief appearances...earned his first win in his Wilmington debut at Potomac on April 27...returned to Wilmington on August 19 and finished the season with the Blue Rocks...after his return, he closed out the regular season by going 4-0 in seven relief outings and allowed only one run over 10.2 innings...made three appearances in the 2004 Mills Cup Championship Series.

Steve Chamberlain (RHP) – Worked in a total of 47 games, all in relief, during the 2004 regular season...notched seven wins out of the bullpen for the Blue Rocks...five of his seven wins came at home...went 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in 10 appearances during the month of July...inherited 30 runners during the regular season and 10 scored...his only two losses came in back-to-back outings in Lynchburg on July 1-2.
Drew Endicott (RHP) – Notched seven victories, all in relief, during 2004 regular season...suffered the loss in his only start at home against Myrtle Beach on July 22...picked up three victories in both June and August...struck out a season-high four hitters on two different occasions...inherited 18 base runners during the regular season and 10 scored...worked in Game Two of the Northern Division Championship series.

John Gragg (LHP) – Promoted from Burlington (MWL) to Wilmington on August 19...combined to go 3-11 with a 4.18 ERA in 30 games (21 starts) between the two levels...made his Wilmington debut out of the bullpen in game two of doubleheader on August 20 versus Lynchburg...made first start and suffered the loss in the second game of a doubleheader at Kinston on August 30...allowed 14 home runs during the regular season between Burlington and Wilmington...appeared in Game Two of the Northern Division Championship Series and allowed seven earned runs over one-third of an inning...allowed his second of two three-run home runs against Potomac's Matt Logan and was then ejected after hitting Chad Durham...suspended for three games by Carolina League for incident.

Colt Griffin (RHP) – Returned to Wilmington for the third straight season, but for the first time at the beginning of the season...went 1-4 with a 8.73 ERA in eight starts before his promotion to Double-A Wichita on June 6...walked three or more hitters in each of his eight starts with the Blue Rocks...notched his only win at home against Winston-Salem on May 2.

Nate Hoelscher (LHP, 6-2, 190) – One of three relief pitchers to make 50 or more appearances during the regular season...allowed back-to-back home runs on two different occasions during the regular season...held opponents to a .227 average and left-handed hitters to a .165 average...allowed six home runs on the year with two coming in three separate outings...appeared in four postseason games and did not allow a run over five innings of work.

Dusty Hughes (LHP) – Received by Wilmington on May 25 from Burlington (A-Midwest)...combined to go 9-6 with a 2.16 in 26 starts between Burlington and Wilmington during the regular season...Blue Rocks went 7-11 in his 18 starts...allowed two earned runs or less in 12 of his 18 starts with the Blue Rocks...tossed eight innings of one-hit shutout baseball and notched the win at Potomac on August 5...went 1-1 in two postseason starts for the Blue Rocks...struck out a career-high 11 over 6.1 innings, but suffered the loss in Game Three of the Mills Cup Championship Series against Kinston.

Jason Kaanoi (RHP) – Received by Wilmington on July 23 from Burlington (A-Midwest)...went 4-0 with a 1.37 ERA in nine games (seven starts) with the Blue Rocks at the end of the regular season...Blue Rocks went 6-1 in his seven starts...went 0-2 and allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over 5.2 innings in two postseason starts.









Devon Lowery (RHP) – Opening Night starter at Myrtle Beach on April 8 and notched the victory in the Blue Rocks 5-0 win over the Pelicans...was a part of four different shutouts during the regular season, including a seven-inning, complete-game shutout at Lynchburg on July 24...made a team-high 28 starts during the regular season, which tied a franchise record...Blue Rocks went 17-11 in his 28 starts...tied for the club lead with nine wins during the regular season...went 4-0 with a 2.00 ERA in six starts during the month of July...went six starts without a victory (May 4-29)...allowed two home runs in a start on four occasions...ranked ninth in the Carolina League with a 3.66 ERA, sixth in strikeouts (115), sixth in innings pitched (145.0), tied for third in losses (9), sixth in walks (52), and fourth in home runs allowed (16)...notched the win in the Blue Rocks series-clinching win over Potomac in the Northern Division Championships Series...suffered the loss in Game Five of the 2004 Mills Cup Championship Series against Kinston.

Trae McGill (RHP) – Selected as a mid-season Carolina League All-Star...opened the season with nine straight victories...tossed a complete-game and notched the win in his first start of the season in the first game of a doubleheader at Lynchburg on April 14...led the Carolina League with a 2.08 ERA... tied for club-high with nine wins...fifth Wilmington hurler to win the league's ERA title since 1993...had six outings of six or more innings...was a part of three shutouts during the regular season...Blue Rocks went 13-4 in his 18 starts during the regular season (was starting pitcher in the Blue Rocks 1-1 tie at Myrtle Beach on May 30)...Did not allow a run in 22.1 innings as a starting pitcher April 19-May 10 and 21.2 innings overall...missed a month of the season due to stiffness in his right forearm and shoulder fatigue...McGill went 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA in 12 games (11 starts) at home during the regular season...suffered his first loss of the season at Salem on July 28...made two appearances, both in relief, during the postseason.

Shaun Shiery (LHP) – Began the season out of the bullpen and made 17 appearances (eight starts) before receiving a promotion to Wichita (AA-Texas) on June 11...did not allow an earned run in his first five appearances, including one start of the season...allowed only one home run in 56.1 innings of work...Blue Rocks went 1-7 in his eight starts.

Brad Stiles (LHP) – Began the season with Wilmington and was sent to Burlington (A-Midwest) on May 11...returned to Wilmington on July 4 and remained with the Blue Rocks for the rest of the season...placed on the disabled list on August 29 with lower back spasms...was not on the postseason roster...did not allow a home run with the Blue Rocks.

Mike Stodolka (LHP) – Returned from Tommy John surgery and made his first appearance on June 12 at Frederick...Blue Rocks went 11-3 in his 14 starts...lost his first two decisions and won his final three...tossed seven innings of two-hit shutout baseball and notched the win at home against Myrtle Beach on August 26...made start in Game One of Championship Series at Kinston and picked up the win by tossing six innings of three-hit shutout baseball.

Danny Tamayo (RHP) – Received from Wichita (AA-Texas) on May 7 and sent back to Wichita on May 22...made three starts with the Blue Rocks...allowed eight runs (all earned) over two-thirds of an inning at Winston-Salem on May 8.


CATCHERS

J.D. Alleva – Hit in a season-high six in a row (July 5-27)...had 10 multi-hit games...hit his only home run of the season at home on June 7 against Kinston's Matt Davis...started behind the plate in nine games and club went 5-4 in those games...started 46 games at first base...collected only three-hit game of the season at Salem on May 15...went 0-for-3 as a pinch hitter, during the regular season...did not appear in postseason.

John Draper – Had seven multi-hit games on the season...started behind the plate in 37 games during the season and club went 16-20 with a tie...went 0-for-4 with a run scored in three postseason games...hit two home runs on the season...started nine games in right field.

Matt Tupman – Hit safely in season-high 10 in a row (May 4-May 15)...hit safely in eight in a row (June 26-July 8)...hit three home runs during the regular season...had 25 multi-hit games on the season (23 two-hit games & 2 three-hit games)...went 5-for-10 with a double, home run and two RBI as a pinch hitter during the regular season...started 94 games behind the plate for the Blue Rocks during the regular season and club went 56-38...went 2-for-23 with 12 strikeouts during postseason play, including 0-for-14 with eight strikeouts in Championship Series.

INFIELDERS

Mike Aviles – Led the Carolina League and established a new Wilmington franchise record with 40 doubles during the regular season...named to both Carolina League mid-season and postseason All-Star teams...tied for third in the Carolina League with 139 hits...third in Carolina League with 50 extra-base hits...collected a team-high 41 multi-hit games (32 two-hit games, 9 three-hit games)...had 16 multi-RBI games during the season (11 two-RBI games, 3 four-RBI games, 1 four-RBI game, 1 five-RBI game)...committed 20 errors during the regular season...started 120 games at shortstop...hit safely in a season-high 11 in a row (July 19-August 1)...hit safely in eight in a row and 16 of his final 18 regular season games...hit .290 (9-for-31) with two doubles, two home runs and four RBI in eight postseason games.

Travis Chapman – Joined Wilmington from Arizona League on August 6 and hit a home run in his first game...had six RBI in his first four games...hit safely in 10 in a row (August 24-September 2)...hit five home runs in 96 regular season at-bats...had three multi-hit games...started three games at third base...went 9-for-32 with three doubles and four RBI in eight postseason games.

Daryl Clark – Signed with the Kansas City Royals and assigned to Wilmington on May 13...Hit safely in five in a row (May 20-26)...hit his only home run with the Blue Rocks at home against Frederick on May 26...committed three errors in one game versus Salem on July 6...started 13 games at first base...traded to St. Louis Cardinals on July 22.





Damaso Espino – Collected 35 multi-hit games on the season (35 two-hit games, 10 three-hit games)...hit safely in a season-high seven in a row (July 30-August 6)...hit safely in six in a row on three different occasions during the regular season...committed a team-high 22 errors...led the club with 111 strikeouts...started 66 games at third base and 38 games at first base...hit his only home run of the regular season in opening game of a doubleheader at Lynchburg on July 24...hit a grand slam home run in Wilmington's Game Two victory of the Championship Series (off of Keith Ramsey) at Kinston on September 12...went 8-for-29 with a home run and six RBI in eight postseason games.

Chris Fallon – Traded to the Colorado Rockies along with former Wilmington pitcher Zach McClellan on Opening Night, April 8, for relief pitcher Justin Huisman.

Darren Fenster – Started third straight season with Wilmington Blue Rocks...collected five straight multi-hit games (April 15-20)...went 4-for-5 with a franchise single-game record four doubles versus Potomac on May 5...hit safely in eight in a row (May 14-21)...31 multi-hit games (23 two-hit games, seven three-hit games, one four-hit game)...started 25 games at second base, 24 games at third base, seven games in left field, and one game at shortstop...hit .366 (34-for-93) with eight doubles and nine RBI during month of May...selected to Carolina League's mid-season All-Star team for the second time in three years (2002, 2004)...sent to Wichita (AA-Texas) on July 31 and finished the season with the Wranglers.

Brett Groves – Member of Wilmington's Opening Day roster...went 2-for-28 with the Blue Rocks in 15 games...started 11 games in left field...placed on disabled list with a torn meniscus in his left knee on May 5...activated from disabled list on June 18...sent to Burlington (A-Midwest League) on July 2.

David Jensen – Hit .206 (14-for-68) with four doubles and 22 strikeouts in 21 games with the Blue Rocks...started 17 games at first base...released by the Kansas City Royals organization on May 13.

Adam Keim – Began the season with Burlington (A-Midwest League) and joined the Blue Rocks on May 5...started 25 games at first base, 10 games in right field, seven games in left field and six games at second base for Wilmington...placed on the disabled list with a strained oblique on May 14 and activated from the disabled list on June 4...hit safely in eight in a row (August 5-16)...collected 17 multi-hit games with the Blue Rocks (15 two-hit games, one three-hit game, and one four-hit game)...went 2-for-4 with his first professional grand slam home run and career-high five RBI in win over Winston-Salem on August 9...second on club with nine home runs...hit .307 (27-for-88) with four doubles, five home runs and 17 RBI in 25 games during the month of August...went 6-for-28 with two doubles, a home run, and four RBI in eight postseason games.

Mitch Maier – Joined Wilmington from Burlington (A-Midwest League) on July 10...hit safely in a career-high eight in a row (July 17-27)...hit safely in 20 of 22 games (July 17-August 10)...hit his first home run with Wilmington at Frederick on August 4...collected 10 multi-hit games during regular season with Blue Rocks (eight two-hit games, two three-hit games)...hit a two-out, walk-off home run versus Frederick on September 4...stole 10 bases with the Blue Rocks and 44 bases between Burlington and Wilmington...committed eight errors, all at third base...started 46 games at third base...went 6-for-28 with a double, two RBI and 11 strikeouts in eight postseason games.

Donnie Murphy – Led Wilmington with 10 home runs and 73 RBI during the regular season...was named to Carolina League's mid-season All-Star team...committed 20 errors on the year...started the season by going hitless in his first 16 at-bats...hit .296 (77-for-260) with 18 doubles, a triple, five home runs, and 47 RBI during the first half of the season and .204 (46-for-225) with 14 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 26 RBI during the second half...started 103 games at second base and 16 games at shortstop during the regular season...hit safely in a season-high six in a row on three different occasions during the regular season...went 5-for-5 with two doubles and a home run at Potomac on April 29...finished third in the Carolina League with 32 doubles, sixth in Carolina League with 46 extra-base hits and seventh in Carolina League with 73 RBI...hit .290 (9-for-31) with two doubles, two home runs, and four RBI in eight postseason games...made his big league debut with the Kansas City Royals on September 18 at Cleveland, becoming first Wilmington player from 2004 to make it to the major leagues.

Angel Sanchez – Added to Wilmington's postseason roster from Burlington (A-Midwest League) on September 8...did not appear in any regular season games with the Blue Rocks...went 0-for-1 with a strikeout in his only at-bat during the postseason.

Eddie Solis – Received from extended spring training on May 14 and sent back to extended spring training on June 4...went 5-for-22 with two doubles in eight games for the Blue Rocks...started three games at shortstop, two games at second base, and one game at third base.

Walter Sevilla – Added to Wilmington's roster from Burlington (A-Midwest League) on September 6...went 2-for-14 with five strikeouts in four games with the Blue Rocks...started four games at second base...placed on inactive list to return to school on September 6.

OUTFIELDERS:

Shane Costa – Selected to Carolina League's postseason All-Star team...hit .275 (58-for-211) with four doubles, three triples, two home runs, and 26 RBI during the first half of the season and hit .338 (81-for-240) with 16 doubles, five home runs, and 34 RBI during the second half of the season...started 79 games in centerfield and 59 games in left field during the regular season...hit safely in a season-high nine in a row (July 5-15)...hit safely in eight in a row twice during the regular season...hit .396 (40-for-101) with 11 extra-base hits and 14 RBI during the month of July...hit .353 (41-for-116) versus left-handed pitchers...hit nine home runs in 2004 (seven during the regular season and two in Championship Series) with only one coming against a left-handed pitcher (Keith Ramsey in Game Two of Championship Series)...had 40 multi-hit games on the year (31 two-hit games, seven three-hit games, two four-hit games)...went 11-for-34 with three extra-base hits and three RBI during postseason play.

Tim Frend – Hit .237 (49-for-207) with 21 extra-base hits (15 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR) and 28 RBI in 58 games with the Blue Rocks...hit safely in six in a row (May 13-20)...went 2-for-4 with a double, home run, and four RBI at Frederick on June 12...started 29 games in left field and 10 games in right field...collected 14 multi-hit games (12 two-hit games, two three-hit games)...placed on voluntarily retired list on July 2.

Bernard Stephens – Hit safely in a team-high 16 in a row (July 17-August 3)...hit three of his four home runs during the second half of the season...hit .330 (34-for-103) with seven extra-base hits and 18 RBI during the month of July...started 104 games in right field and three games in centerfield during the regular season...collected 29 multi-hit games (25 two-hit games, 4 three-hit games) during the regular season...placed on disabled list and missed the remainder of the regular season on August 22 with a strained left wrist.

Mel Stocker – Received from Wichita (AA-Texas) on April 28...led Wilmington and finished third in the Carolina League with 44 stolen bases during the regular season...his 44 stolen bases tied him for second for stolen bases in a season...finished tied for fourth in the Carolina League with 78 runs scored...started 79 games in centerfield and 27 games in left field for the Blue Rocks...was leadoff hitter in 111 games...walked four times and scored four runs against Kinston on June 9...collected 23 multi-hit games (17 two-hit games, six three-hit games) during the regular season...hit safely in six in a row on two different occasions...went 7-for-34 in eight postseason games.

MANAGER

Billy Gardner, Jr. – Completed his second season as manager of the Blue Rocks and his second season in the Kansas City Royals minor league system...went 77-62 (.554) and won the second half Carolina League Northern Division title for the second straight year...compiled a 157-122 (.563) record over two seasons as the manager of the Blue Rocks. His overall managerial record is 623-636 (.495).

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from October 20, 2004


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