CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Four-Run Eighth Inning Gives Wilmington Fifth Straight Win

Published on May 20, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks' opportunistic offense was on display again on Saturday night as it turned three Myrtle Beach miscues into three unearned runs en route to a 6-4 triumph over the Pelicans at Frawley Stadium. The Blue Crew used a four-run eighth inning to bust open a 2-2 tie and capture the win.

Wilmington sent eight men to the plate in the decisive frame, which began with one of those Pelican errors. Leury Garcia gloved Alex McClure's soft roller toward the left side of the infield cleanly, but the shortstop's throw sailed over his first baseman's head, allowing McClure to reach safely. After Jose Bonilla laid down a successful sacrifice bunt, Joey Lewis drew a free pass. Deivy Batista followed with a broken-bat infield single that loaded the bases for Whit Merrifield.

The Rocks' most consistent hitter of the last month came through yet again, grounding one sharply back through the box for a single that scored a pair and put Wilmington in front for good. Carlo Testa added two critical insurance runs when he laced a two-run triple into the left-center field alley.

Myrtle Beach did not fade quietly into the night however, scoring a pair in the ninth off reliever Bryan Paukovits. With the tying run at the plate and two down, manager Brian Rupp pulled Paukovits and inserted southpaw Ryan Dennick. The hard-throwing lefty fanned the only batter he faced to end the game and earn his second save in as many tries on the season.

Dennick's clutch performance preserved the win for Wilmington starter Tyler Sample. The right-hander lasted a career-high eight innings, allowing just two runs on three hits while fanning a pair. Sample (2-3) retired the last 18 batters he faced and 24 of the final 25. All of this against a Pelican offense that entered the night with the highest batting average and most runs scored in the Carolina League.

Wilmington registered the game's first run on an RBI single by John Whittleman in the opening inning. The Pelicans answered with a two-spot in the second courtesy of a solo homer by Michael Olt and a sacrifice fly to right off the bat of David Paisano.

The Rocks tied the game in the fifth when Whittleman doubled with one away and then scored one out later on an infield single by McClure and a throwing error by Garcia.

That set the stage for the eighth-inning heroics off Pelicans pitcher Ryan Kelly (2-2). The reliever allowed four scores (three earned) on three hits in 2.1 frames.

The teams meet again on Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. Wilmington ace Jake Odorizzi (3-0, 2.45) faces Myrtle Beach right-hander Wilfredo Boscan (0-1, 4.63). Broadcast coverage begins at 5:35 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.

The first 1,000 fans through the gates on Saturday will receive a cereal bowl courtesy of TD Bank. It is also a Super Savings Saturday, which means for just $35 fans get two box seats and $20 in concession stand money. For tickets call 302-888-BLUE or visit bluerocks.com.

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Carolina League Stories from May 20, 2011


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