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CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks Suffer Heartbreaking Loss against Astros

August 2, 2018 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Buies Creek, N.C. - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (56-53/25-14) have to settle for a season series split against the Buies Creek Astros (61-48/24-16) after a heartbreaking 4-3 loss on Thursday night at Jim Perry Stadium. Blue Rocks starter Gerson Garabito had another quality start on the mound, going six full innings while giving up only five hits, one run, and two walks while also amassing six strikeouts. Wilmington was handed a walk off loss for just the third time this season off a Jonathan Arauz three-run double in the bottom of the ninth.

The Astros mounted the comeback in the bottom of the ninth. Bryan De La Cruz and Seth Beer hit back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second with no outs. Cody Bohanek drew a full count walk to load the bases. After a Carlos Canelon strikeout, Arauz hit a bases clearing double to score three runs and win it for Buies Creek 4-3.

Wilmington drew first blood in the top of the second. Gabriel Cancel led the inning off with a double to right. After an Emmanuel Rivera walk, Travis Jones grounded an infield single to load the bases with no outs. Vance Vizcaino grounded into an RBI fielder's choice while Cancel scored from third to put the Rocks ahead 1-0. The Blue Rocks added to their lead in the top of the fourth. Cancel roped a one-out single to right before advancing all the way to third on another single by Rivera. Jones drove the runner in with an RBI fielder's choice that brought Cancel home to score and extend the lead to 2-0.

Buies Creek spoiled the shutout bid in the bottom of the sixth. After Jacob Meyers was caught stealing second, Corey Julks smacked a single into left and then moved to second after Osvaldo Duarte drew a walk. De La Cruz singled through the gap in right to score Julks and make it a 2-1 ballgame.

The Blue Rocks scored an insurance run in the top of the eighth. D.J. Burt hit a single up the middle and later stole second to put himself in scoring position with one out. Rivera hit a single of his own up the middle, Burt hustled home to score and give Wilmington the 3-1 advantage.

The Blue Rocks will travel home to Frawley Stadium where they will begin a three-game set against the Frederick Keys on Friday, August 3 at 7:05 p.m. Wilmington will send southpaw Daniel Tillo (2-2, 4.50 ERA) to the mound. He will be opposed by Frederick's lefty Zac Lowther (3-2, 2.89 ERA). Fans can also catch all the action with Matt Janus and Cory Nidoh on 89.7 WGLS-FM.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

The loss on Thursday night marked the last time Wilmington and Buies Creek will square off in the regular season. The Blue Rocks end the season series against the Astros with a 3-3 record going 2-1 at home and 1-2 on the road. The Astros are the second team to wrap up their season series against the Blue Rocks this season. Wilmington finished its series against the Carolina Mudcats with a 2-5 record. The loss is just the third time Wilmington suffered a walk-off defeat all season, tying last season's tally.

Gerson Garabito has found a groove in the second half of the season. In his last seven starts the righty has allowed two earned runs or less for an outstanding 1.71 ERA. In that same span, Garabito has three wins and four no-decisions. In fact, the last time the pitcher had a loss was way back on June 22 against the Potomac Nationals. With another solid outing on Thursday night, Garabito has now made it four quality starts in a row.

Emmanuel Rivera had his 20th multi-hit game of the season on Thursday night. The third baseman went 3-for-3 with an RBI. This is just the third time Rivera has racked up three hits in one game this season. Rivera moves up to third on the team in multi-hit games only sitting behind D.J. Burt with 27 and Gabriel Cancel with 28.

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Carolina League Stories from August 2, 2018


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