CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks fall victim to one-hitter

Published on June 11, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Frederick, MD - Three Frederick Keys pitchers combined to hold the Wilmington Blue Rocks to a season-low single hit in a 3-1 loss at Harry Grove Stadium on Wednesday night. Wilver Perez earned the lone knock, a double in the eighth inning. Closer Tyler Chambliss (2-1) allowed two runs in the bottom of the eighth to suffer his first setback of the year. The loss handed Wilmington a losing road trip, as the team went 3-4 at Potomac and Frederick. While the Blue Crew took two out of three from the Keys, it also fell back to sea level at 33-33 and lost its winning streak at three games. In order for the Blue Rocks to have a winning first half, they must win three of their four remaining games on the opening stanza.

Tied 1-1 in the eighth inning, Chambliss started the inning and his first pitch was sent through the right-side hole for a single off the bat of Bobby Andrews. Ryan McCarthy failed in his first two bunt attempts thereafter, fouling each away. An awkward slap swing then sent a two-strike pitch bouncing first-base side of the mound. Chambliss had the tough high bouncer kick off his glove as McCarthy reached with what was ruled an infield hit. Super prospect Matt Wieters, the Carolina League home run leader who entered the night with a .340 batting average, displayed the full depths of his skill set when he dropped his first successful sac bunt of the season to move the runners up.

After a conference on the mound with manager Darryl Kennedy, the infield came in and the Blue Rocks decided to pitch to Brandon Snyder with an open bag at first. Snyder batted a ball into right-center, scoring both runners. He tried to stretch his single into a double, but center fielder Derrick Robinson threw him out at second base. Nonetheless, the Blue Rocks faced a daunting 3-1 deficit heading into the ninth inning. In that final frame, lefty Chad Thall sat the heart of the order down 1-2-3 for his third save, as a pair of groundouts bookended a swinging strikeout of Jeff Bianchi.

Wilmington starter Jason Godin hurled a splendid game, scattering one run and four hits over seven innings. He walked three and struck out three. His lone blemish was a leadoff homer by Miguel Abreu to begin the fifth for a 1-0 deficit.

His counterpart, 20-year-old prospect Brandon Erbe, who grew up going to Frederick Keys games, dazzled with his best outing of the season. He allowed just one base runner through the opening six innings, an accidentally plunking of Joe Dickerson in the first inning with a pitch off his front foot. Erbe ran into trouble in the seventh inning when he walked each of the first two hitters, Josh Johnson and Dickerson. Bianchi sacrificed both men up a base and Anthony Seratelli followed with a pulled groundball to first base. Snyder gloved the grounder and thought he looked Johnson back to third base, but when he turned his back to force Seratelli out at first base, Johnson darted home. Snyder's throw was received short of the dish by catcher Matt Pierce, and the backstop's lunging tag attempt fell short of a headfirst slide from Johnson for a 1-1 draw.

On the groundout, Dickerson took third and a moment of controversy came when the next batter David Wood asked for time while at the plate. There was confusion as to if time was indeed granted when Erbe appeared to balk but the go-ahead tally was not awarded. An intense but brief discussion transpired between Kennedy and home plate umpire Matt Abbott, however play continued without the balk charged and Wood struck out on the next pitch to strand the runner at third base.

Perez picked up the only Blue Rocks hit on the game in the eighth against large lefty Ryan Rodriguez, a one-out double to right-center. Kurt Mertins pinch hit for Brett Bigler but struck out swinging. Rodriguez walked Jarrod Dyson and a double steal followed to put both men in scoring position. Johnson hit a fly ball to the right-center gap, caught by Andrews running from center to end the inning.

Wilmington returns home for an eight-day, seven-game homestand starting on Thursday, June 12 against the Winston-Salem Warthogs at 7:05 p.m. Young gun righty Ed Cegarra (2-1, 5.79) tosses for the Blue Rocks against changeup artist righty John Ely (2-6, 4.02). The first 1,250 adult fans in attendance will receive a Blue Rocks t-shirt courtesy of Jagermeister. The Blue Rocks also encourage you to break out your platform shoes and bellbottoms for a wild ride on Disco Night, including a special appearance by The Amazing Christopher and his YMCA puppets.

Reserve your tickets today by calling 302-888-BLUE (2583). For complete information on the 2008 schedule and latest information on tickets, group outings and the 2008 promotional schedule visit the Blue Rocks website at www.bluerocks.com or call the Blue Rocks front office at 302-888-2015.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE: Despite getting on base twice (walk, hit by pitch), Joe Dickerson went 0-for-2 on the game to end his hitting streak at 10 games. During his string of success, the Yorba Linda, CA resident hit .439 (18-for-41) with 11 RBIs.

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Carolina League Stories from June 11, 2008


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