CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Long Balls Cripple Crow and Sink Blue Crew

Published on August 18, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Frederick, MD - Even a lack of wind, overcast skies and chilly conditions could not corral the hitter-friendly qualities of Harry Grove Stadium on Wednesday night. The Wilmington Blue Rocks (59-62, 27-24) and Frederick Keys (67-55, 26-26) combined to leave the park three times. Unfortunately for the Blue Crew, Frederick was responsible for two of those jacks and that was enough to carry the Keys to a win. Despite out-hitting Frederick and finishing the evening with 10 knocks, the Rocks dropped a 4-1 decision.

Frederick actually scored the game's first run without the aid of a long ball. Kyle Hudson opened the bottom of the first with a single and then was replaced at first by Pedro Florimon, Jr., who bounced into a fielder's choice. Florimon went to second on a wild pitch, and scored one out later on Billy Rowell's RBI single.

Frederick added to its advantage in the second. A one-out liner by Bobby Stevens fell in for a single. It was followed by a high fly ball to right off the bat of Brian Conley. Wilmington outfielder Nick Francis drifted back on the ball, but it just kept carrying. Eventually Francis ran out of room as he literally ended up with his back to the wall, and Conley's home run had extended Frederick's lead to 3-0.

The Keys added another score on another homer in the third. Rowell, who hails from South Jersey and is in his third season with the Keys, bombed a solo shot to left-center field. With the homer, Frederick led it, 4-0.

Both of the Keys' dingers came off of Wilmington starter Aaron Crow. But despite the early struggles, the right-hander settled down nicely. He retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced, and fanned the final five. He finished his night after five frames, allowing four runs on five hits while whiffing eight and walking none. The slow start was his downfall though, as Crow (1-2) was saddled with the setback.

Wilmington got on the board with a home run of its own in the sixth inning. Wil Myers, who saw his 15-game hitting streak come to a close in Tuesday's loss, hit his second Advanced-A homer of the season in the sixth inning. Myers blasted a solo shot over all three levels of signage and just inside the foul pole in left to cut the deficit to three runs.

But the Rocks let plenty of opportunities slip away. They lost two men on the base paths in the first three frames as Christian Colon and Patrick Norris were caught stealing. The Blue Crew finished the night having stranded 10 men on base, six in scoring position, and finished its night 0-for-9 with runners at second and/or third.

Wilmington brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth for the second straight night, despite trailing by three runs entering the final frame. Norris drew a walk and Adrian Ortiz blooped a single to shallow left. But Colon struck out to end the game.

Oliver Drake (4-6) got the win for the Keys. The right-hander yielded just the one run on seven hits in six innings pitched. He was followed by Ryan Berry, who fanned seven over the final three frames. The effort was good enough to garner the former starter his second save in as many tries.

The four-game set wraps up on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Prospect southpaw Will Smith (2-1, 3.16) will oppose Frederick right-hander and Newark, DE product Zach Clark (2-2, 5.59).

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

Adrian Ortiz had himself a big night at the plate. The left fielder went 3-for-5 with singles in the third, seventh and ninth innings. Ortiz has now hit safely in six straight games. He is hitting an even .300 (9-for-30) over that stretch. It comes on the heels of a 3-for-28 (.107) slump upon his return from the Central American and Caribbean Games in early August.

Christian Colon also extended his hitting streak. The shortstop had a two-hit night in five trips to the plate. Colon, who has registered five hits in the last two games, has knocks in nine consecutive contests.

Aaron Crow has more home runs allowed than starts in a Blue Rocks uniform. The Royals first-round pick in 2009 has surrendered five long balls in four games with Wilmington. He has also yielded at least four runs in each of his starts.

Despite putting two men on base in the final frame and bringing the tying run to the plate, the Blue Rocks fell to 0-50 when trailing after eight innings on the season. Every other CL team except Kinston (0-46) has won at least once in such circumstances.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from August 18, 2010


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