CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks defeat Warthogs

April 30, 2004 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


WILMINGTON, DE – The Wilmington Blue Rocks (12-10) defeated the Winston-Salem Warthogs (6-14) by a final score of 6-2, in game one of a seven-game home stand.

The Rocks' latest addition, Mel Stocker, got things going in the first inning with a walk, stolen base and advanced to third on a wild pitch by Winston-Salem starter Rob Purvis. Donnie Murphy sent Stocker home with an RBI double for an early 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Mike Aviles did the same, an RBI double that scored Murphy as Wilmington led, 2-0.

Stocker contributed to another tally, belting an RBI sacrifice fly to centerfield in the third inning for a 3-0 Blue Rocks advantage. In the fifth, Bernard Stephens led the inning off with a bunt single and stole second. Stephens moved to third after tagging up on a fly out to right by Murphy, and came home on a sacrifice fly to center courtesy of Shane Costa. Aviles then drew a two-out walk and scored on an RBI double from Damaso Espino for a 5-0 Wilmington edge.

Starting pitcher Trae McGill (3-0) went six scoreless innings for the Rocks, allowing just four hits and one walk, while striking out three batters and hitting another to pick up the win. The Warthogs got on the scoreboard only after McGill departed, tagging relievers Steve Bray and Barry Armitage for a run each over one and two innings of work respectively.

Shane Costa scored Wilmington's sixth and final run in the seventh inning. Costa reached first after being hit by a pitch, and came home after Aviles' second RBI double of the night.

Purvis (1-3) took the loss for Winston-Salem, allowing all six runs on 13 hits and two walks over seven innings. Purvis also hit a batter and was charged with one wild pitch.

It's a battle of lefties tomorrow for game two of the three-game series. Winston-Salem's Paulino Reynoso (0-0, 4.50) will throw against fellow southpaw Shaun Shiery (1-1, 3.38). Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m. at Frawley Stadium.

GAME NOTES: Donnie Murphy collected a pair of hits in his first two at-bats before flying out to right field in the fifth inning, giving Murphy seven hits in seven straight plate appearances including his 5-for-5 performance last night...Mel Stocker stole two bases for Wilmington in the game, the Rocks entered with just two stolen bases as a team before tonight's game...Mike Aviles has a red-hot bat of late, the Wilmington shortstop is hitting .433 (13-for-30) since April 21...With a Lynchburg 1-0 loss to Myrtle Beach, the Rocks are now tied with the Hillcats for first place in the Carolina League's Northern Division.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics



Carolina League Stories from April 30, 2004


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