CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Martin Hushes Wilmington Bats

Published on May 9, 2012 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - The runs have come few and far between for the Wilmington Blue Rocks in the last few games at Frawley Stadium. That continued on Wednesday night as Wilmington (12-19) fell to the visiting Lynchburg Hillcats (18-12) by a 1-0 mark.

In the sixth inning, the Hillcats got all the runs they would need. Designated hitter Tim Smith led off against Jason Adam with a solo homer to deep right center field. That made it a 1-0 lead for Lynchburg, an advantage they would not relinquish.

Chances were few and far between for both sides. In the second inning, the Blue Crew had two men on and one out against Lynchburg starter Cody Martin. Geulin Beltre promptly bounced into a double play to end the threat.

In the third, Adam stranded men at second and third when Tommy La Stella flew out to Brett Eibner in center. In the fourth, Adam again danced out of trouble, this time with guys on first and second. He induced a pop up from Braeden Schlehuber to Alex McClure.

The Blue Rocks got the leadoff man on in the seventh when Angel Franco broke up Cody Martin's no-hit bid by dumping a single into left field. However he was caught stealing while the next man, Cheslor Cuthbert, was batting. Even with a two-out single from Brian Fletcher, the next man up in Roman Hernandez was retired to end the frame.

Adam (1-4) once again came up on the short end of the stick, as he lost his fourth decision out of five. He went 5.1 innings, allowing just one run on four hits and three walks. He struck out three. Jon Keck came on and tossed 2.2 innings of shutout relief, allowing three baserunners. Sam Runion pitched a clean ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts.

Martin (4-3) pitched deep into the game and effectively. He chucked seven shutout frames, yielding just two hits and two walks while striking out seven Wilmington hitters. At one point, he retired thirteen batters in a row, spanning from the second inning to the sixth.

After dropping the first two, the Blue Rocks try to salvage a contest in this three-game series with the Hillcats in the finale on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. Wilmington right-hander Sugar Ray Marimon (2-0, 2.88) faces Lynchburg righty Gus Schlosser (3-1, 5.50). Broadcast coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. as studio host Rob Cunningham brings fans the Rocks Report Pre-game Show, presented by Wawa, on 89.7 WGLS-FM and online at wgls.rowan.edu.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

The Blue Rocks struggle with the bats doesn't seem to be coming to an end anytime soon after mustering just two hits against Lynchburg pitching on Wednesday. Wilmington's contact clip drops to .232 and is second-worst in the league. Their run scoring pace stays in the cellar as well at a shade over 3.5 runs per game.

Blue Rocks have the second-fewest stolen bases with 17. Those bags have come in 29 attempts, translating to a 59 percent clip, also the second-worst in the Carolina League. Angel Franco was gunned down in the seventh inning after a leadoff single.

Lynchburg marks the lone CL squad Wilmington had yet to face before this series. The first-place Hillcats also play in the Rocks' Northern Division. Including the Blue Crew's three-game set last weekend, it will play 13 straight games against divisional foes. Just three of the team's first 27 games saw the team oppose divisional competition. Thus far, the Rocks own a 2-6 record against divisional competition. They do not have a winning record against any of their three foes in the North.

After falling Wednesday, the Blue Crew will have to wait until they hit the road to pick up that third series victory of the year. Wilmington has won just two of its first ten series, including the asterisk of taking two of three at Winston-Salem. A fourth and final game of that set is in suspended limbo with the Blue Rocks leading 3-1 in the first inning. It will be resumed when the teams next meet in Winston-Salem on June 8.

The Blue Rocks were without a base knock for the first six innings against Cody Martin. Never in their history have the Blue Rocks been no-hit. Last time the Blue Rocks threw no hitter, it came against the Lynchburg Hillcats on May 2, 2000 at Frawley Stadium. Current Phillies pitcher Brian Sanches tossed the gem for Wilmington.

The Blue Rocks have now been shut out four times on the year, which is good for tops in the league. The last time they were shut out came at home when the Carolina Mudcats were in town on April 18.

Adam's run support has essentially been non-existent so far this year. In seven starts, he has been given 19 runs of support. That averages out to 2.7 runs per game. In all four of his losses this year, he has given up one earned run or less.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from May 9, 2012


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