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CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Junis Struggles as Wilmington Drops Third Straight

May 30, 2015 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Zebulon, NC -Mudcats catcher Joe Odom doubled, homered and drove in three runs as Carolina opened its five-game, four-day series against the Wilmington Blue Rocks with a 7-0 rout. Blue Crew starter Jakob Junis allowed a season-high seven runs in five innings on the way to his fourth loss of the season. The setback was Wilmington's third straight, equaling its longest losing streak in 2015.

Carolina got the lead early thanks to a two-out rally in the second. Carlos Franco got things started with a single to left, then came home when Odom ripped a two-bagger into the left-field corner. The Mudcats added to their advantage by manufacturing a run in the third. Johan Camargo led off with a double, went to third on Keith Curcio's ground ball to third and scored on Levi Hyams' sacrifice fly.

The Mudcats used the long ball to break things open in the fourth. After Sal Giardina singled, Jacob Schrader launched a two-run bomb over the left-centerfield fence to make it 4-0 Mudcats. Carlos Franco kept the pressure on Junis (2-4), by drawing a full-count free pass. That set the stage for Odom, who sent a two-strike pitch over that same left-centerfield fence for another two-run bomb.

Junis' night ended after five frames. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed nine hits and walked a pair as Carolina plated the seven scores against him.

Meanwhile, the Wilmington offense could not get much going against Carolina starter Andrew Waszak. The right-hander retired the Rocks in order four times in 6.1 innings. The Blue Crew loaded the bases against him in the second frame, but Logan Moon grounded out to squander the threat. Wilmington finally chased Waszak when it put two on with one down in the seventh. but the Rocks failed to push anything across against flame-throwing right-hander Mauricio Cabrera.

It was Wilmington's sixth shutout defeat of the season.

The Blue Rocks are back in action on Sunday against Carolina as the teams continue their five-game, four-day series with a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. Fans can listen to the broadcast on 89.7 WGLS-FM. Wilmington returns home on Thursday, June 4 when they open a four-game series against the Frederick Keys. For tickets, call 302-888-BLUE, or visit www.bluerocks.com.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

The Blue Rocks made a roster move prior to their game on Friday at Potomac. Parker Morin was added to the active roster, as Cam Gallagher was placed on the disabled list. Gallagher was attempting to beat a throw to first base in game one of Wednesday's doubleheader, but was injured on his way. He would stay in the contest and run the bases the rest of the frame, but was replaced by Santiago Nessy in the field the next half inning. Morin spent the 2013 season with the Blue Rocks, when he hit .226 with a homer and 30 RBIs in 88 games. He split last year between Triple-A Omaha, Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Rookie-level Idaho Falls, and began this season in extended Spring Training. Morin made his 2015 Blue Rocks debut on Saturday behind the plate, going 0-for-3, but reaching on an error.

Wilmington wraps up the season's second month with its doubleheader on Sunday. In spite of Saturday's setback, so far the month of May has been kind to the Blue Crew. After finishing April with a .500 mark, the Rocks have won 17 of their 28 games this month. Over that stretch Wilmington has posted a scant 2.55 ERA. Starting pitching has been a big part of the Rocks' success. The rotation has turned in six starts of seven-innings-or-more in May after having just one such outing in the campaign's first month. Offensively, the Rocks are batting .255 for the month with 62 extra-base hits.

The Rocks have been a much better team in the friendly confines of Frawley Stadium this season. Wilmington is a Carolina League best 10-games above .500 (19-9) at home, but has lost 12 of its 20 games played outside of the First State so far this year. Pitching has been the biggest difference, as Wilmington's staff ERA increases by well over a run (3.71 to 2.22) from road-to-home. If the Blue Crew, which leads Frederick by 2.5 games, want to capture a first-half CL North crown, they will likely have to play better baseball away from Wilmington. Fifteen of the Rocks' 23 remaining first-half games will be played on the road.

Jakob Junis has been the proverbial feast-or-famine pitcher in 2015. Wilmington's Opening Day starter is third on the team with 47 strikeouts and has turned in four quality starts on the campaign. But Junis is also the only Rocks starter to allow at least six runs in an outing this year. Junis has done it three times, surrendering six scores to Myrtle Beach in the first game of the season, six tallies to Lynchburg on May 8, and seven runs to the Mudcats on Saturday. In fact, only two other Wilmington starts all season have resulted in more than three earned runs (one by Eric Skoglund and the other by Alec Mills). Collectively, the Blue Crew starting staff is 16-15 with a 2.93 ERA.

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