CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Delaware Native Gibson Burns Blue Crew

Published on July 6, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Salem, VA - Justin Marks saw two mistakes haunt his night. Solid through 6.2 innings, the southpaw allowed a solo homer and issued one walk that combined to his demise as the Wilmington Blue Rocks (41-42, 5-9) fell to the Salem Red Sox (38-45, 7-7) on Wednesday, 3-2. Delaware native Derrik Gibson played a huge role in the Rocks' loss, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. The Blue Crew's ninth loss in 12 games saw it sink below .500 for the first time since it was 1-2.

With the Rocks up 2-0, Gibson began the third with a double to right-center and later scored on Shannon Wilkerson's single to left. Marks faced the minimum from that point until the sixth when Jorge Padron's one-out homer to right, his first of the year with Salem, tied the game up at 2-all. Marks' lone walk of the night, a five-pitch free pass to Josue Peley, began the very next inning. After a Zach Gentile sacrifice, Gibson doubled Peley in for a 3-2 Salem lead that would go final. Marks (4-6) allowed all three runs over 6.2 innings.

That lead held up thanks to three scoreless innings from relievers Jeremiah Bayer (5-1) and Chris Martin, who logged his third save in as many appearances with the Red Sox. The Blue Rocks put multiple men on in both the eighth and the ninth, but could not get a run across.

Both of the Blue Rocks' runs came across in the second against starter Ryan Pressly. A Tim Ferguson sacrifice combined with a Pressly throwing error to get Ryan Stovall across for the first tally. Gerard Hall's bunt single knocked in Kurt Mertins for the second.

The three-game series continues at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday night. Wilmington right-hander Elisaul Pimentel (4-6, 4.07) faces fellow ranked prospect Anthony Ranaudo (1-3, 4.41). Baseball America ranks Pimentel No. 29 for the Royals and places Ranaudo second on Boston's farm. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. as studio host Adam Dobrowolski brings fans the Rocks Report Pre-game Show, presented by Wawa, on 89.7 WGLS-FM and online at wgls.rowan.edu.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

Former Seaford High School star Derrik Gibson finished the game 3-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. In 10 games against the Blue Rocks, he has gone 10-for-31 (.323) with five doubles and three RBIs.

Justin Marks allowed his league-worst 11th home run of the season and allowed his first runs of the season against Salem. Marks started a pair of shutout victories in his two prior nods against the Red Sox. He lasted at least six innings for the seventh time in nine starts.

Wilmington suffered its first loss at Salem in five tries this season. The Blue Rocks had win six in a row at the home of the Red Sox since last falling there on August 6, 2010. Salem had won just two home games against any foe since May 7 before Wednesday night.

The Blue Rocks have gone 1-4 so far on their seven-game road trip.

Nick Van Stratten has hit in each of his first seven games with this year's Blue Rocks. He has gone 11-for-24 (.458) with three stolen bases.

Wilmington left nine men on base including six in scoring position. The team went 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position and failed to score more than three runs for the ninth time in 12 games. The team is 1-8 in those contests. The 12-game run includes five games of one run or less, all losses.

Only one of Wilmington's seven hits went for extra bases, Ryan Stovall's leadoff double in the second inning.

Jeremiah Bayer entered the night with a 14.73 ERA and an 0-1 record against the Blue Rocks. He tossed two scoreless innings and struck out four men for his fifth win of the year. He struck out each of the first four men he faced.

Salem played the game without arguably its three best bats as first-rounder Kolbrin Vitek, All-Star Dan Butler and the powerful Bryce Brentz all got the day off.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from July 6, 2011


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