CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Defensive Miscues, Offensive Struggles Do In Blue Crew

Published on August 21, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE- A very sloppy effort by the Wilmington Blue Rocks resulted in a 4-1 loss to the Kinston Indians on Friday night at Frawley Stadium. The Rocks committed a season-high five errors in the setback, including four in one inning.

Wilmington's fielding meltdown occurred in the fifth. With the Rocks trailing, 2-0, Adam Davis opened the frame with a single to right-center. He then tried to steal second and was the beneficiary of no one covering the base. As a result, Ryan Eigsti's throw sailed straight into center field, and Davis went to third. One out later Davis scored on Olee Sheldon's single to left.

On the play Jamar Walton came over to cut the ball off, but his throw into the infield escaped cutoff man Anthony Seratelli when the shortstop lost the ball in the lights. The error allowed Sheldon to head for second. Clint Robinson ran the ball down and tried to keep Sheldon out of scoring position, but his throw sailed into the outfield.

The two errors forced the Rocks' infield in which resulted in Wilmington's fourth and final mistake of the inning. Doug Pickens' grounder bounced off the glove of third baseman Chase Fontaine and into left field. Sheldon walked home on the play to make it 4-0 Kinston.

Blue Rocks starter Michael Montgomery was the pitcher who paid for Wilmington's fielding issues.

Montgomery (2-1) earned his first loss as a Blue Rock by allowing four runs (two earned) over six innings. The left-hander surrendered only six hits and struck out four, but was done in by the lack of defense and timely hitting

Wilmington did not score its only run until the bottom of the eighth. Robinson led the frame off with a triple into the left-center field gap, and came home one batter later on a sacrifice fly by Nick Van Stratten.

Kinston pitcher Paolo Espino (6-6) got the win. He tossed 5.2 scoreless innings. Kyle Landis closed things out by not allowing a run in the ninth to pick up his sixth save.

Wilmington looks for revenge on Saturday as it hosts Kinston again at 6:05 p.m. Opening day starter Alex Caldera (4-10, 5.65) gets the start for Wilmington, while Potomac will counter with right-hander Alexander Perez (1-2, 3.04). Off the field, the Rocks will celebrate Eagles Night, as the Birds' mascot Swoop will visit Frawley Stadium, as will some of the beautiful Eagles cheerleaders. After the game fans will enjoy fireworks courtesy of the Delaware Solid Waste Authority.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

Wilmington left nine men on base in the loss, and did not manage a single hit with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-9. Six of the stranded runners were stuck at second or third base.

The Blue Rocks have now dropped five consecutive games at Frawley Stadium, their longest home losing streak of the season. Wilmington's last win at home came on August 12, when it beat the Dash, 1-0.

Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer both remained out of the Wilmington lineup on Friday. Moustakas has not played since having a groundball bounce off of his head on Tuesday. He has been suffering from concussion-like symptoms since. Blue Rocks manager Brian Rupp said after the game he was hopeful Moustakas could play on Saturday, and confident he would return by Sunday's series finale. Hosmer is waiting on a new pair of prescription glasses. He cannot play without them. It is uncertain when he will return.

Clint Robinson's triple in the eighth inning was his first as a Wilmington Blue Rock, and the fifth three-bag base hit of his professional career. Robinson reached base safely all four times he came to the plate on Friday night, with two extra-base hits and two walks.

Wilmington starter Michael Montgomery allowed a season-high four runs on Friday. He has now allowed season-worst run totals in back-to-back starts. In Montgomery's defense on Friday, two of the scores were unearned.

The Potomac Nationals scored seven runs in the first two innings, as they cruised their way to an 11-0 victory over the Salem Red Sox on Friday. That win, coupled with the Blue Rocks' loss, means Wilmington's lead over the P-Nats in the CL North is down to one-half game.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Carolina League Stories from August 21, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central