CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Lamb Lights Out, Blue Rocks Claim Series

Published on May 23, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


WILMINGTON, DE-John Lamb (3-4) twirled seven shutout innings, and the Wilmington Blue Rocks used a monster fourth frame to defeat the Lynchburg Hillcats 5-1 on Thursday afternoon at Frawley Stadium. The victory wrapped up a successful homestand for Vance Wilson's club, with the Blue Crew taking two of three against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and two more from the Hillcats. With the victory, Wilmington moves back within two games of .500 (22-24)

Making his eighth start of the campaign, Lamb would get into an early groove. Following a two-out double by Shawn McGill in the top of the first, the southpaw set down seven men in a row, including three via strikeout. Meanwhile, Hillcats starter Greg Ross (1-1) was equally as effective, working one time through the order without allowing a hit and earning five punch outs along the way.

In the fourth though, the Blue Rocks were able to diagnose their opposition. After Ross set down his 10th man in a row, Daniel Mateo started a rally with a flare single to right. He moved to third on a throwing error by Lynchburg third baseman Kyle Kubitza, and scored on a base knock by Cheslor Cuthbert. Ross proceeded to walk Kenny Swab setting up the bases loaded for Jack Lopez, who brought home Lane Adams on a sacrifice fly. Ahead 2-0, Wilmington would receive two more runs on a base hit to right by Alex Hudak, to cap off a four-run inning.

Lamb continued to carve through the Hillcats order, facing the minimum in the fifth and sixth frames, before exiting after seven innings of work. Over the game he did not allow any runs, while he scattered three hits and struck out six.

Facing Malcom Culver in the eighth, Lynchburg put an end to the shutout bid following a double by Kubitza and an RBI fielder's choice by Will Skinner. However the visitors would get no closer. In fact, the Blue Rocks added an additional tally in the eighth on a second hit by Mateo and an RBI double by Cheslor Cuthbert. Ahead 5-1, Cody Fassold slammed the door shut in the ninth, working a perfect inning.

Wilmington will have a rare Friday off, before playing three games against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on the Grand Strand. Saturday will be a scheduled doubleheader, with righty Kyle Smith (2-1, 2.36) set to make the start in game one, followed by left-hander Sam Selman (2-3, 5.35) in the night cap. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05, with the second game following immediately afterwards. The broadcast can be heard on 89.7 WGLS-FM, or on Bluerocks.com. Wilmington returns to the Riverfront on May 31, when the Blue Rocks open a three-game set with the Frederick Keys. For ticket information, call 302-888-BLUE or visit Bluerocks.com.

Pebbles of Knowledge:

John Lamb turned in his finest performance of the season, working a season-high seven shutout innings to trim his earned run average by more than a point (6.35-5.27). The eight strikeouts also ties a season-high, a mark he set in his previous start on May 17 against Myrtle Beach. Extremely efficient, Lamb faced the minimum in five out of the seven innings, while on three occasions he got out of an inning in less than 10 pitches. The win is Lamb's first since April 30 against Salem.

Justin Trapp saw his 13-game on-base streak come to a close after the South Carolina native went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. It marked the first time that Trapp had failed to reach base since May 7, when he posted a similar 0-4 mark against Potomac. Still, Trapp remains one of the Blue Rocks most consistent hitters, recording at least one hit in five of his last six games to go along with a .313 batting average in home games. Right now his focus is on defense though, as he has committed 11 errors (including five in his last six games) the most by any second baseman in the Carolina League.

The week-long homestand proved to be a profitable one for the Blue Rocks, who remain in the North Division race after taking two out three against Myrtle Beach and Lynchburg. That feat was not easy, considering the Hillcats and the Pelicans hold the two best records in the Carolina League, as well as a combined mark of 53-35 going into Thursday's action. A win in the series finale also gave Wilmington back-to-back series wins for the first time in 2013.

Vance Wilson's team will try and continue its good fortune in Myrtle Beach on Saturday, when the Blue Rocks face the top overall team in the Carolina League. 10-14 in road games this year, Wilmington dropped two of three in its previous trip to the Grand Strand in April. However the Blue Rocks will have some new blood when they get into town. Prior to Thursday's game, it was announced that Yowill Espinal would be joining the Blue Rocks roster, replacing Kenny Diekroeger who was transferred to Low-A. Signed by the Royals in 2007, Espinal was hitting .209 with one homer and four RBIs with the Lexington Legends in 23 games.

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Carolina League Stories from May 23, 2013


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