CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks defeat Hogs 4-3

Published on June 25, 2006 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Winston-Salem, NC --- The Wilmington Blue Rocks (4-2) defeated the Winston-Salem Warthogs (3-3), 4-3, at Ernie Shore Field on Sunday afternoon. Wilmington rallied from a pair of deficits to take two of three in the series. The Blue Rocks have won 12 of their 16 games against the Warthogs this season.

Wilmington trailed 2-0 in the fourth inning when Jeff Natale reached on a two-base error to third baseman Cory Haggerty. After a pair of outs, Scott White stood in, and for the second time in as many games, he came through. White fell behind starter Adam Russell 0-2 in the count before crushing his third homer of the year over the wall in left field. The homer tied the game at 2-2.

Victor Mercedes answered with a homer to lead off the fifth against starter Kevin Guyette for a 3-2 Winston-Salem lead. Guyette was chased after 4.1 innings, leaving with two on and one out. Jason Richardson (1-4) came on and got David Cook to hit into a less than ordinary double play to end the inning. A fly ball went to right field where Claudio Arias made the catch just inside the chalk line fair. His throw went to third as Josh Hansen tried to tag and advance. But the one-hopper beat Hansen as third baseman Chuck Jeroloman applied the tag.

Richardson went 2.2 shutout innings, allowing just one walk and no hits.

The Blue Rocks grabbed the lead in the seventh against the closer Fernando Hernandez (4-3). Jed Lowrie hit a line drive single off the glove of Hernandez and Natale followed with a double to left-center. Two batters later, Ian Bladergroen earned his 32nd RBI of the season with a groundout to second base, Lowrie scored, Natale took third and the game was tied, 3-3. White was hit by pitch putting runners at the corners with two outs for Matt Kent. The catcher delivered with his second hit of the afternoon, a single to short center, scoring Natale for a 4-3 Wilmington lead.

Justin Sturge threw a pair of scoreless and hitless innings for his second save. The lefty walked one and struck out two.

The Blue Rocks are off for three days as the Carolina League enjoys its All-Star break. Wilmington closer Mike James, third baseman Andrew Pinckney, and centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury will represent the Rocks on the Carolina League squad against the best of the California League on Tuesday, June 27 at Salem Memorial Stadium.

The Rocks will next see action on Thursday, June 29 as they begin a six-game home stand and three-game series with the Lynchburg Hillcats. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

GAME NOTES: The Warthogs hit eight homers in the three-game series, all solo shots.

Matt Kent earned two hits in a game for just the second time in 19 contests with Wilmington.

DAMON'S GRILL PLAYER OF THE GAME: Wilmington C Matt Kent: 2-for-4, GW RBI, 2K

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from June 25, 2006


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