CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Caldera Dominates As Rocks Claim Share Of Second

Published on May 14, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Woodbridge, VA - Alex Caldera (2-2) struck out a career-best 11 over 7.2 shutout innings as the Wilmington Blue Rocks (15-20) doubled up the Potomac Nationals (15-20) at Pfitzner Stadium on Friday night, 2-1. Jamie Romak's first home run as a Blue Rock provided all of the necessary runs and Buddy Baumann secured his second save in the series-opening triumph. With the win, the Blue Crew's fifth in seven games, the Rocks now share second place in the Northern Division with Potomac and Lynchburg.

Caldera faced just three over the minimum despite allowing five hits while not issuing a single walk. Back-to-back singles began the second inning against him, but a greedy Bill Rhinehart tried to go first to third on Tyler Moore's single to right and right fielder Adrian Ortiz gunned him down at third base. Steve Lombardozzi reached on a strikeout and passed ball in the third only to be picked off by Caldera, who then retired eight straight before Lombardozzi singled in the sixth. Again, Caldera would nullify the runner, this time on a strike-‘em-out, throw-‘em-out double play with a whiff of Edgardo Baez and a nipping of Lombardozzi.

In the interim, a bruise began the Blue Rocks' run-scoring efforts. Salvador Perez took a fastball to the small of his back from Patrick Lehman (1-1) in the fourth and two batters later Romak jacked a two-out, two-run shot just fair down the left-field line for a 2-0 lead.

That was all the damage the Blue Rocks would muster against Lehman who gave up two runs on four hits over seven innings. He walked none and struck out seven.

Caldera departed the game with the bases empty and two down in the eighth after 98 pitches (66 strikes). Baumann entered and allowed a double to nine-hole hitter Jose Lozada off the glove of Romak, the drawn-in third baseman. Baumann promptly struck out Lombardozzi to strand the runner.

Wilmington missed a major chance at insurance in the ninth. Usual closer Cole Kimball gave up a single to Jamar Walton and walked Romak. Rey Navarro sacrificed the runners into scoring position and Potomac responded by intentionally walking Eddie Prasch to load the bases. Fernando Garcia popped out to third and Adrian Ortiz struck out swinging thereafter to leave them full.

The P-Nats made a charge in the bottom of the ninth. Back-to-back doubles by Baez and prospect catcher Derek Norris drew the hosts within a run, 2-1. Baumann settled though, striking out Michael Burgess and Bill Rhinehart in succession before inducing a fly-out to center off the bat of Tyler Moore to end the game.

The middle contest of the three-game weekend set comes Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. For the second straight start, righty Manauris Baez (1-1, 4.10) fills in for Jairo Cuevas. Potomac will toss right-hander Marcos Frias (1-2, 4.70).

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Carolina League Stories from May 14, 2010


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