Blue Rocks Game Notes
Published on June 17, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release
DASHED: The best team in the Carolina League finally clinched its playoff spot in Game 69 of the first half. The Winston-Salem Dash brought its bats and relievers in a 9-5 victory over the Wilmington Blue Rocks as it clinched the Southern Division's first-half crown at Frawley Stadium on Saturday night. The team has announced it has elected to host Game 2 and an if-necessary Game 3 come the S.D.C.S. in September. Lynchburg clinched the first-half title in the North.
OVER THE HILL: Wilmington took its 40th loss of the half on Saturday. It is the first time the Blue Rocks have reached that mark since the second stanza of the disastrous 2005 season. That year's club dropped 41 games in the second half and finished the year with the worst record in franchise history at 60-80. The team record for most losses in a first half is 41, set by the 2000 squad. The Rocks must win today to avoid that dubious record. Going 29-41 on a half is the equivalent of a Major League team going 67-95.
UNDER THE SEA: With the loss, the Blue Rocks dropped to a season-worst 11 games under .500. They have not been this far below sea level since they were 55-66 on Aug. 17, 2011.
EARLY BIRD: Wilmington's fate is normally decided by who draws first blood. They fell behind 5-0 on Saturday in the first three innings. While they rallied to force a brief 5-5 deadlock, they fell to 9-29 when the opponent scores first. When they put up the game's first tally, they have won 20 of 31 ballgames.
WALK LIKE A ROCK: Early walks put Tyler Sample in a deep hole. While he only allowed four hits in his five innings, he still gave up five runs and took a no-decision. He has walked four guys or more in four of his last five starts and in three straight. His 36 walks lead the league. He is tied with teammate Jason Adam for the second-most home runs allowed in the loop (10) and is even with Frederick's Scott Copeland for the most runs allowed in the CL (49). In his last three starts, his ERA has ballooned even further from 5.14 to 5.65.
THE SOUTH HAS RISEN: The Blue Rocks have faced off against the Winston-Salem Dash 13 times this season and have only come up with a victory three times. The Rocks finished the first half with losing records to all three teams in the South. They went 6-8 against Carolina, 4-5 against Myrtle Beach and 4-7 versus Salem. Wilmington is assured of a non-winning record against the Dash both overall and at home this year. During their head-to-head meetings, Winston-Salem has outscored Wilmington 73-45. The Dash owns a .291 team batting average and 2.45 ERA while the Blue Crew has a slim .231 contact clip and a gaudy 5.32 ERA.
BOMBS AWAY: Winston-Salem has hit twice as many home runs (14) as any other CL squad (7) against Wilmington. Lynchburg, Myrtle Beach and Salem all own seven round-trippers against Wilmington pitching. Cyle Hankerd (4) and Dan Black (3) alone have equaled that.
YER OUTTA HERE: Vance Wilson was tossed from the game in the third inning for arguing the strike zone for his pitcher, Sample. It is Wilson's fourth ejection of the season. He was tossed on May 16 and 17 in Lynchburg as well as on April 15 at home against Frederick.
Carolina League Stories from June 17, 2012
- Pelicans Win in Front of Standing Room Crowd - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Pelicans Blank Nationals 5-0 - Potomac Nationals
- Keys Drop Sixth in a Row - Frederick Keys
- Weaver Blasts Two Bombs in 'Cats Victory - Hill City Howlers
- Ten-Run Eighth Stuns Sox - Carolina Mudcats
- Carolina Scores 11 Unanswered to Spoil Salem's 1st-Half Finale - Salem RidgeYaks
- First Half Ends in Another Loss - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Dash Win in 10, Finish First Half with 44 Wins - Winston-Salem Dash
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
- Blue Rocks Game Notes - Wilmington Blue Rocks
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