SAL Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks' Defensive Mistakes Cost Them the Game

Published on June 17, 2023 under South Atlantic League (SAL)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


The Wilmington Blue Rocks (28-33) fall to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (32-29) 4-1 after multiple defensive mishaps gave the BlueClaws an advantage in the ninth.

It was a Daniel S. Frawley Stadium debut for starter Jake Bennett. After surrendering a single on his very first pitch of the game, Bennett would settle in.

Through four innings, Bennett only surrendered two more hits and a walk while allowing no runs. He would cruise through 4.0 shutout innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out two.

The Rocks took an early lead in this one. In the bottom of the third, Viandel Pena ripped a one-out single to right field. Pena then stole second and would come home to score on an RBI single off the bat of Jared McKenzie.

Tyler Yankosky would come in to relieve Bennett and would keep the shutout going, pitching two shutout innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out two.

In the seventh, the shutout would be broken up on a two-out rally. A two-out single for Hao-Yu-Lee was followed up with a walk by Gabriel Rincones Jr. One batter later, Lee would come in to score off of an RBI single by Rixon Wingrove to tie the game.

With the score tied heading into the top of the ninth, the Rocks sent out Thomas Ruwe. Ruwe would surrender a leadoff walk to Freylin Minyety which sparked a three-run inning for the Claws. A short pop up off the bat of Arturo De Freitas would drop between Yasel Antuna and Jeremy De La Rosa for a single. With two on and nobody out, Lee would hit a deep fly ball to straight away center that would be misplayed by De La Rosa, allowing Minyety to score and give the Claws a one-run advantage.

After recording the first out of the inning, Freitas and Lee would advance to second and third on a wild pitch. Another wild pitch would bring in Freitas and a throwing error by catcher Matt Suggs would allow Lee to score on the same play, making it 4-1 BlueClaws.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Rocks went down quietly. The BlueClaws now lead the six game series 3-2 with the series finale coming up tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 17, 2023


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