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CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks Game Notes for August 1

August 1, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


SEVENTH HEAVEN:After spotting the Salem Red Sox a 2-0 lead through three innings on Friday, the Wilmington Blue Rocks played small ball to pull even, and then went ahead for good with a long ball. Clint Robinson's solo home run in the bottom of the sixth, lifted the Blue Crew to a 3-2 win, their seventh consecutive victory and 12th in the last 15 games. Robinson's dinger came on a 1-2 fastball with two outs. The pitch was down and in and Robinson reacted with a quick swing that sent the ball down the right-field line. It did not clear the fence by much, but it was enough to put Wilmington ahead by a run.

EVENING THE SCORE:The heroics came after the Blue Crew pulled even in the bottom of the fourth. Johnny Giavotellaopened the inning with a single up the middle. He then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Mike Moustakasmoved the Wilmington second baseman to third with an unselfish groundout to the right side. That allowed Giavotella to come home on Robinson's RBI single to right. After an Eric Hosmergrounder moved Robinson into scoring position with two down, the Red Sox made a critical mistake. Nick Van Stratten's soft roller towards third should have ended the frame, but when Salem shortstop Zack Borowiak threw over top of first baseman Mike Jones, Van Stratten was safe, and Robinson circled all the way around to score.

HOME DEBUT:Salem had the lead after scoring twice off starter Michael Montgomery. The tall, slender lefty gave up an RBI fielder's choice to Jones in the first, and a Tim Federowicz sacrifice fly in the third. He exited his home debut in the fifth after Salem put two men on with one out. But Kelvin Villadid a great job to escape the jam unscathed. Villa (4-6) also tossed a scoreless sixth and earned the win thanks to Wilmington taking the lead in the home half of the frame.

DOMINANCE:Danny Gutierrezthen worked the seventh and eighth without allowing a run, which set the stage for Wilmington closer Brandon Siskin the ninth. The lefty blew three straight Red Sox away, striking out the side to pick up his 12th save. Wilmington's bullpen worked 4.2 scoreless innings for its CL-best 43rd save as a unit. Salem's Kyle Fernandes (4-2) took the loss.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:Six of Wilmington's seven straight wins have come by a single run...The winning streak matches a season-high (Jun. 6-12)...The Rocks are now 22-16 for the season in one-run affairs...Wilmington collected its league-leading 45th win when leading after eight innings last night (45-1)...The victory clinched the season series against Salem (11-4).

HAMMERTIME:Six of Clint Robinson's eight home runs this year have come at pitcher-friendly Frawley Stadium. Only Mike Moustakashas more homers for the Blue Crew. Four of Robinson's dingers have come at Salem's expense. No other Blue Rock has more home runs against any one CLfoe. He finished the night 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and two runs scored. He has four RBIs in the last two days.

HOT JULY: The Rocks finished the month of July with a 17-11 record. It was their winningest month of the campaign. They led the CLwith a 2.43 ERA, helping the team overcome an anemic offense. On the month, Wilmington ranked last in runs (3.3/g), homers(9) and logged the second-worst batting average (.235). Not surprisingly, the Rocks'nemesis Potomac led the league with a 21-8 record.

GETTING STRONGER:Highly-regarded prospect Danny Gutierrezmade his second outing as a Blue Rock last night. He struck out two and allowed one hit over two scoreless innings. He has three shutout frames this week. vs. SAL:RHPEammon Portice (6-4, 4.26)

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