Moustakas Extends Hit Streak to 12, Rocks Settle for Series Win
Published on May 21, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release
Salem, VA - On the edge of completing a four-game sweep of the Salem Red Sox, the Blue Rocks made the same mistakes as their counterparts had all series, failing to capitalize on offensive opportunities early and throwing the ball around late, as a pick-off error resulted in a walk-off loss, 2-1. Starter Ray Liotta left in line for victory after six scoreless innings, but Eduardo Paulino (1-1) allowed a couple of late runs and made the costly error in the ninth. Mike Moustakas singled, extending his team-best hitting streak to a dozen. The setback spoiled Wilmington's winning streak at three, forcing the squad to settle for a series victory instead of a sweep.
The Blue Rocks blew a major chance in the first inning. They loaded the bases with one out but failed to get a run. With two on and nobody out, Moustakas sent a home run ball just foul down the right-field line. On the next pitch, Salem starter Dave McKae struck him out swinging on a cutter in. Jeff Bianchi lined a single off the glove of a leaping Mike Jones at first to load them up, but McKae struck out Clint Robinson and got a fly-ball out to center from Paulo Orlando to end the inning.
The next inning, Jamar Walton singled, stole second, took third on a swinging bunt hit by Adrian Ortiz and scored on a Derrick Robinson sacrifice fly to center for a 1-0 game. It would sty that way for some time thanks to Liotta, who allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out a pair of men. In tying for his longest outing since 2006, the southpaw wiggled his way out of a couple of jams with defensive help. In the fourth, with two on and nobody out, Che-Hsuan Lin bounced a comebacker to Liotta that ricocheted Bianchi at short. A shovel to second resulted in one out and Johnny Giavotella bounced a relay to first that Clint Robinson just brought in for a rare 1-6-4-3 double play. Luis Exposito flied out to left on the next pitch, stranding a man at third.
A pair of nice plays on the left side of the infield highlighted the fifth. Former Blue Rock Zak Farkes (2006) led off with a first-pitch swinging double but three straight groundouts followed. The second saw Moustakas playing in make a nice adjustment on an odd hop, alertly look back the lead runner and use the best infield arm in the system to put out Kris Negron at first. The next batter, Jon Hee, hit a grounder into the hole at short where Bianchi made a backhand glove and a long overhand throw to first to end the inning.
The Blue Rocks offense had died though, placing only two men beyond first after the second inning. Paulino began the seventh and retired the side 1-2-3, but a lead-off walk would score in the eighth. Matt Sheely drew the free pass, stole second and advanced to third on a Negron sac bunt. Paulino bobbled a field try of the bunt though, never getting a throw to first for an error. The next batter, Hee, singled in the equalizer. Three of the next four batters popped out weakly to short and Salem left the bases loaded.
The lead-off man again reached and scored in the ninth. Exposito singled the second pitch through the left-side hole. Farkes bunted him to second, a passed ball gave him third and Sheely worked another walk. With the infield and outfield in, Clint Robinson held on Sheely at first. Ahead in the count 1-0 on Negron, Paulino errantly bounced a ball in the dirt to first, and Exposito crossed the dish for the 2-1 final.
Wilmington opens a three-game series in Myrtle Beach on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Mario Santiago (1-4, 4.95) will face lefty Cole Rohrbough (1-1, 2.19).
PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:
It marks the fourth walk-off loss of the season for Wilmington and its third over the past two weeks.
Carolina League Stories from May 21, 2009
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- Johnson blasts Pelicans to split - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Moustakas Extends Hit Streak to 12, Rocks Settle for Series Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Cody Johnson Powers Pelicans Past Dash - Winston-Salem Dash
- Sox Snap Skid, Steal Series Finale 2-1 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Beato Tosses Six Solid Innings in 3-2 Win Over Hillcats - Frederick Keys
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Hill City Howlers
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