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CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Eighth-Inning Error Opens Door For Rocks' Offense

June 24, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks used another late rally to beat the Lynchburg Hillcats on Friday night at Frawley Stadium. Just 24 hours after the Rocks scored eight runs in the seventh inning of a come-from-behind win over the Hillcats, Wilmington plated two unearned tallies in the bottom of the eighth to beat Lynchburg, 4-2.

The decisive frame began with an infield single off the bat of Yem Prades. The outfielder then moved into scoring position with a stolen base, but was still stuck there two outs later with Tim Ferguson at the plate. Hillcats hurler David Hale (1-2) uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Prades to move up to third. Ferguson then worked the count full before laying off a tight 3-2 pitch to draw a walk.

Alex McClure was up next, and the at-bat began with the infielder in pain. McClure fouled the first pitch he saw off his foot, hobbling him for almost a full minute before he could step back in the box. But McClure showed off enough to grit to make contact and send a hopper toward third. Joe Leonard had the ball bound off his body and by the time he had recovered, McClure had worked his way up the first-base line. The critical two-out error allowed Prades to score and put Wilmington in front, 3-2. The Blue Crew added an insurance run one batter later when Jose Bonilla laced an RBI single to right.

It looked like the Rocks might need that run as Michael Mariot entered in the ninth and promptly surrendered a single and a double to open the frame. With the tying run in scoring position with no outs, Mariot had to get serious in a hurry. The Carolina League All-Star did exactly that by fanning L.V. Ware and Keenan Wiley in succession and then getting Barrett Kleinknecht to fly out to center to polish off the win.

Mariott's third save of the season got Dusty Odenbach off the hook and gave the right-hander his second Advanced-A win of his career. Odenbach (2-0) entered with a 2-0 lead in the seventh but gave up single scores in two straight frames to let Lynchburg pull even.

The second tally came on the most bizarre play of the night. With two men on and only one out, Geraldo Rodriguez lofted what appeared to be a routine fly ball to center, but Prades lost the ball in the lights. It seemed certain that two runs would come across, but Leonard made another costly mistake, inexplicably retreating back to third after he had rounded the bag. Instead of two runs home, two men were standing on third, and Leonard was tagged out. As a result the game remained tied, and Wilmington would win it one-half frame later.

The Rocks go for the sweep as the teams square off again on Saturday at Frawley Stadium. First pitch is slated for 6:05 p.m. Carolina League All-Star Jake Odorizzi (5-2, 2.71) hits the hill for Wilmington against fellow right-hander Aaron Shafer (1-0, 1.93). Broadcast coverage begins at 5:35 p.m. when 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.

The Blue Rocks are hosting the annual Dog Days of Summer celebration, as the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Blue Rocks cap, courtesy of Concord Pet Foods & Supplies and Purina. As part of the festivities, there will be a best-dressed dog contest as well as a dog tricks competition. For tickets call 302-888-BLUE or visit bluerocks.com.

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