CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Pelicans Pitching Dominates in 4-1 Loss

Published on August 24, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Myrtle Beach, SC - The Wilmington Blue Rocks never led in a 4-1 loss to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Sunday night. Their only score came with thanks to a gift base hit, an Anthony Seratelli double lost in the sky by right fielder Jon Mark Owings followed by a two-out RBI hit from Adrian Ortiz to spoil a shutout in the eighth. The Blue Crew lost its best winning streaks of the year overall and on the road at four and three respectively as they were held to four hits on the game including three singles.

Myrtle Beach starter Kyle Cofield (8-6) masterfully mixed a blend of off-speed pitches with an occasional fastball over six scoreless innings at the start. He allowed just one base hit and no walks while striking out four. The Blue Rocks put just two men on base against the 21-year-old righty. Brad Correll reached on a two-out throwing error by shortstop Brandon Hicks in the first inning and Derrick Robinson earned a two-out infield hit off second bagger Travis Jones in the third. Neither man moved beyond first base.

Mario Santiago (7-8) allowed a first-pitch swinging solo homer to left against Hicks in the second for an early 1-0 deficit. After allowing a pair of well-struck two-out hits later that same frame, he stranded those runners by working a groundout from Randy Gress. But an earned run on Santiago's own error put the Rocks down a pair in the third. Gorkys Hernandez singled on the first pitch of the frame and took second on an errant pick-off throw. A groundout to short by Jones pushed him to third base and Tyler Flowers knocked him home with a single to center.

The Pelicans grabbed firm hold of the game in the sixth. Jones and Flowers reached on a walk and double to begin the inning. With the infield in, Ernesto Mejia pushed his RBI total to 88 with a two-run single the opposite way over second base. Santiago went seven innings for the first time since July 13, but allowed nine hits, one off his season high. The Fightin' Feathers tagged the 23-year-old with all four runs (three earned). He walked one and struck out four. Correll had a one-out infield hit to second in the ninth against closer Nick Fellman, but Cody Strait followed with a groundball double play 5-4-3 to end the game. Fellman earned his eighth save in 10 tries.

Aaron Hartsock notched his fifth straight scoreless outing (10.2 IP) with a scoreless eighth. He struck out one and allowed one hit while throwing a wild pitch.

Game two of the four-game set will see a rematch of the teams' best starting pitchers from last week. Wilmington's Matt Kniginyzky (9-7, 3.56) faces southpaw Scott Diamond (11-2, 3.00). The Rocks handed Diamond a rare loss in a 7-3 Wilmington win at Frawley Stadium on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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Carolina League Stories from August 24, 2008


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