CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks Game Notes

Published on June 5, 2007 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Kinston Indians (34-21) Carolina League Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks (27-28) Carolina League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals

Games No. 56/57 -- Home Games No. 23/24 -- Frawley Stadium -- Tuesday, June 5, 2007 -- 5:35 p.m.

ANOTHER LEAD LOST: One strike shy of a satisfying victory over the club with the best record in the Carolina League, the Wilmington Blue Rocks blew their third lead of the game and allowed the Kinston Indians to escape with a 9-8 win at Frawley Stadium on Monday night. Wilmington had leads of 2-0, 6-4, and 8-7, but could not secure a triumph en route to dropping the opening game of the threeday, four-game series. Closer Gilbert De La Vara (2-1) gave up a pair of runs (one earned) on three hits in the ninth to blow his fourth save in eight chances and take the loss. Matt Meyer, who blew a save opportunity earlier in the game, got the win while Scott Roehl nailed down his eighth save of the season for the Indians.

BLOWN LEAD: With the Blue Rocks up 8-7 and one out in the ninth, Kinston put runners on first and second via base hits against De La Vara. The Wilmington closer got Max Ramirez on strikes for the second out and had Stephen Head down to his last strike, when the Kinston first baseman laced a single to right field. Chris De La Cruz raced home from second easily with the tying run and, when outfielder Brian McFall booted the ball in right, pinch runner Jerad Head was able to score all the way from first with the go-ahead tally. Roehl set the Rocks down in order in the ninth, getting McFall to ground out to end the game.

BECOMING A TREND: The Blue Rocks have blown leads in each of their last five games, going just 1-4 over that stretch.

BETTER DAYS: Prospect right-hander Chris Nicoll displayed terrible control for the second time in as many bullpen appearances last night. The former starter threw behind a hitter twice and recorded just one out before his three walks and two wild pitches forced Wilmington to remove him from the game. All three of his runners would come around to score, raising his overall ERA to a ghastly teamworst 7.06. In two outings as a reliever, Nicoll has tossed a combined one inning and has allowed six runs on two hits and five walks for an ERA of 54.00. Before the season, Baseball America rated Nicoll as the Royals No. 22 prospect and with the "Best Control" in the system.

ONE-RUN MISERY: With the loss on Monday, the Blue Rocks dropped to a league-worst 5-11 in one-run contests. In addition, Wilmington has yet to steal a game in which they have trailed after six innings, falling to 0-20.

RARE LATE DROP: Monday's futility marks just the second time in 23 chances the Blue Rocks have lost a game they have led after eight frames.

RUN PRODUCERS: Kila Kaaihue's two RBIs on Monday increased his teamleading total to 36. Mario Lisson, who matched the team's single-game seasonhigh mark with four RBIs on the game, brought himself right on Kaaihue's heels with 34 RBIs, good for second on the club.

STREAKIN': With a pair of hits in five at-bats, Jose Duarte increased his hitting streak to seven games. It is the longest current streak on the club and Duarte's second longest string of the season. The Wilmington center fielder hit in eight straight from April 18-27. During his current hot hitting, Duarte has connected at a .364 clip, going 12-for-33.

TICK, TICK, TICK: Trailing the first-place Lynchburg Hillcats by 1.5 games in the CL's Northern Division, Wilmington has 13 games left on the season's first half including tonight's doubleheader. Seven of Wilmington's remaining games will be played on the road. Meanwhile, the ‘Cats also have 13 games remaining, with nine of those games being played on the road. Barring any other game cancellations, the Blue Rocks will play 68 first-half contests, while the Hillcats will play 67.

Game One Probables

WIL: RHP Jason Godin (0-1, 13.50) vs. KIN: RHP Frank Herrmann (3-1, 2.97)

DOUBLE DIPPIN': Game one of tonight's doubleheader will see the latest addition to Wilmington's roster make his home debut. Right-hander Jason Godin, a 6'4" 170-pound 22-year-old, went 1-1 with a 1.84 ERA in seven games and four starts with Low-A Burlington prior to his promotion, holding the Midwest League to a .175 batting average. In his first outing as a Blue Rock, Godin yielded a career-high six runs on eight hits in four innings to take loss on Thursday at Salem. Baseball America ranked Godin as the No. 29 prospect for the Royals.

Right-hander Frank Herrmann throws for the K-Tribe. At 6'4" 220lbs., Herrmann boasts an economics degree from Harvard. The Rutherford, NJ native throws a power sinker, a slurvy breaking ball and a changeup. Sixth in the Carolina League with his 2.97 ERA this season, Herrmann comes off a rough showing against these same Blue Rocks on Wednesday. The Rocks tagged him for six runs (four earned) on eight hits over five innings. He left on the hook for his second loss in as many starts, but Kinston rallied from a 6-1 deficit to win, 10-8.

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