Offense Sputters as Rocks Drop Second Straight
Published on April 7, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release
Myrtle Beach, SC - The Wilmington Blue Rocks offense managed just four hits on Saturday while the Myrtle Beach Pelicans scored runs in four of their final five trips to the plate. Not surprisingly, the Pelicans blanked the Blue Crew, 5-0, and have now taken the first two games of the teams' season-opening three-game set.
The Rocks ran square into Pelicans pitcher Victor Payano, who mowed them down over 5.1 frames. The left-hander did not allow a hit over the first five innings and struck out eight on the way to the win.
The only rally Wilmington managed against Payano (1-0) came in the sixth. The Blue Crew got a single from Jack Lopez and a walk from Jorge Bonifacio to put men at first and second with just one out.
That sent Myrtle Beach to its bullpen. Jose Mavare was inserted and needed only one pitch to escape the jam. He induced a 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Cheslor Cuthbert, and Wilmington's best chance of the night had gone by the wayside.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans offense bided its time against starter John Lamb. After failing to do anything against the southpaw in the first three innings, the Pelicans hung a pair on him in the fourth. The damage came courtesy of an RBI single by Chris Grayson and a run-producing groundout by Patrick Cantwell.
Myrtle Beach then padded its lead against the Wilmington bullpen. The Pelicans got an unearned run in the fifth thanks to errors by Cuthbert and Kenny Diekroeger. They then tacked on a run in the seventh on Drew Robinson's RBI single and another score on Rougned Odor's solo home run in the eighth.
Wilmington wraps up its series with the Pelicans on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. Right-hander Kyle Smith takes the mound for the Blue Crew, while the Pelicans will counter with fellow righty Jared Eickhoff.
The Rocks return to the First State for their Home Opener on Friday, April 12 at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call 302-888-BLUE or visit Bluerocks.com.
Carolina League Stories from April 7, 2013
- Early Offense and Strong Pitching Earn Rocks First Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Nationals Fall to Hillcats 10-3 - Potomac Nationals
- Davis' Blasts Send Keys to 3-1 Walk-Off Win, Series Sweep - Frederick Keys
- Late Rally Leads Hillcats to 11-6 Win - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Mudcats Deal Dash First Sweep Since 2011 - Winston-Salem Dash
- Mudcats Complete Sweep of Dash - Carolina Mudcats
- Davis Launches Frederick to Series Sweep - Salem RidgeYaks
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Winston-Salem Dash Game Notes - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pelicans blank Blue Rocks 5-0 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Bolinger's walk-off lifts Pelicans - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Offense Sputters as Rocks Drop Second Straight - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Offense Sputters as Rocks Drop Second Straight - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Huge Lynchburg Comeback Upends Potomac's Strong Start - Potomac Nationals
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