CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Come From Behind to Earn Win

Published on June 26, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - In a nine-inning game which saw three lead changes and lasted more than three hours, the Wilmington Blue Rocks persevered. The Blue Crew beat the Potomac Nationals for just the sixth time in the teams' previous 23 meetings, taking an 8-7 decision on Friday night at Frawley Stadium.

The victory let Wilmington starter Danny Duffy off the hook. Duffy surrendered six runs on eight hits in only 3.1 innings pitched.

The left-hander spotted Potomac an early lead by allowing three first inning runs. It could have been worse, but Duffy got Devin Ivany to ground out with two down and runners on second and third.

Wilmington answered back with a run in the bottom of the first when Derrick Robinson opened the frame with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas' sacrifice fly. The Rocks added four more tallies in the bottom of the third and took the lead on a Tom Milone (3-3) balk.

Duffy's struggles continued in the very next half inning though, as he gave up three more runs before being chased from the game with one out in the third.

Kelvin Villa replaced Duffy and proceeded to combine with Brandon Sisk and Juan Abreu to hold Potomac to just one run over the final 5.2 frames. Villa (2-4) got the win, going three innings and allowing only four hits. Sisk then struck out two over 1.2 frames, which set the stage for Abreu to work around trouble in the ninth, and earn his eighth save.

The offense also responded down the stretch, putting Wilmington ahead for good with a pair of runs in the fifth inning. Johnny Giavotella and Moustakas each hit one out singles, which put runners at the corners. Giavotella then scored on Anthony Seratelli's RBI fielder's choice. Dan Nelson failed to record an out on the play though when he dropped the throw, and as a result Moustakas moved up to third. He scored one batter later on Milone's second wild pitch of the night, as the Rocks went ahead for good. It would be the Potomac starter's last pitch of the night, as he left the game allowing seven runs (six earned) in 4.1 frames.

But Sisk almost let the lead slip away in the top of the seventh. Three consecutive singles seemed destined to tie the game, but a perfect throw on the last by right fielder David Lough nailed Michael Burgess at home. It was Lough's third outfield assist of the season. Sisk escaped the inning unscathed, and the Rocks maintained their one-run advantage.

The Blue Crew added an insurance score in the home seventh, as a Moustakas double allowed the third baseman to eventually score his third run of the night.

It was an important tally, as Abreu struggled in the ninth. He walked Burgess with one out, and then authored an errant pickoff throw, which allowed the Potomac right fielder to advance all the way to third. Abreu brought Burgess home on a two-out balk. But the right-hander settled down, and struck out Francisco Plasencia to end the game.

The Rocks and P-Nats face off in a rubber match of this three-game series on Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. Mario Santiago (3-7, 4.20) will take the mound for the Rocks. He will be opposed by Potomac's Terrence Engles (0-2, 4.80). Off the field, fans are encouraged to bring their dog to the stadium, as Concord Pets presents the annual Dog Days of Summer Celebration at Frawley Stadium.

For tickets, or for more information, call 302-888-BLUE.

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Carolina League Stories from June 26, 2009


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