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CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Avoid Sweep

July 16, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - A brilliant start by the newest member of their rotation, and another lights out performance by the backend of the bullpen carried the Wilmington Blue Rocks to a 2-1 victory over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Thursday night at Frawley Stadium.

Jason Godin, who is taking over the starting spot of recently promoted southpaw Rowdy Hardy, kept the Myrtle Beach offense off balance for six strong innings. The right-hander allowed only four hits and one unearned run.

Godin (2-0) had not started a game since April 25 in Winston-Salem. But he showed no signs of rust by striking out six, while not walking a single batter.

The 24-year-old Old Dominion product was so pitch-efficient he made it through six innings with ease, despite the fact that his previous season-long outing was only four frames.

The lone run Godin surrendered was setup by an error from third baseman Antonio Jimenez. The miscue was sandwiched between two singles, as the Pelicans loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the second. But Godin induced a huge double play off the bat of Chris Shehan. A run did come home on the play, but when Robert Marcial flew out to left two pitches later, the damage had been limited.

Wilmington answered right back with a run in the home half of the second. Wilmington evened the game without managing a hit. Two errors by second baseman Michael Fisher allowed Paulo Orlando to reach second base. That was followed by another miscue by Myrtle Beach third baseman Donnell Linares on an Anthony Seratelli groundball.

Seratelli was then picked off of first, but had the wits to get himself caught in a rundown. Orlando broke for home as Seratelli was stuck between first and second, and he slid in just in front of Marcial's throw plateward.

In the fifth, Wilmington got the go-ahead run thanks to some production by the top of its order. Derrick Robinson singled with one out and then immediately stole second base. He came home on Johnny Giavotella's line-drive single back through the box, to make it 2-1. When Godin departed after the sixth, Blue Rocks manager Brian Rupp turned the game over to his two top relievers.

Brandon Sisk blew the Pelicans away in the seventh and eighth, striking out four of the eight batters he faced. Sisk then gave way to closer Juan Abreu, who picked up his 12th save in as many attempts. Abreu struck out two, but did allow the tying run to move into scoring position on a walk and a stolen base, before getting Gerry Rodriguez on a sharp grounder to third to end the game.

Myrtle Beach starter Richard Sullivan was the tough-luck loser. Sullivan (2-6) surrendered two runs (one earned) on four hits over seven innings pitched.

With the Pelicans migrating back south, the Rocks are set to begin a three-game series at Frawley Stadium with the Frederick Keys on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Danny Duffy (6-3, 3.69) will make the start for Wilmington, while Frederick will counter with Pedro Beato (5-5, 4.84). Off the field, the Rocks will pay homage to modern literature with a Harry Potter tribute, and the first 1,000 fans will receive t-shirts courtesy of Verizon.

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