CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Drop First-Half Finale

Published on June 19, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks had their Father's Day spoiled by the Winston-Salem Dash on Sunday as they dropped a 3-2 decision in the 2011 season's first-half finale.

All of the offense came early at Frawley Stadium. Winston-Salem took a 1-0 lead in the opening frame thanks to a triple by Jared Mitchell and an RBI infield single by Jose Martinez. The Rocks responded with a pair in their half of the first. Carlo Testa laced a single to left and Rey Navarro followed with a two-run homer that easily cleared the right-field fence.

Unfortunately for Wilmington, it was the last clutch hit of the day for the Blue Crew. The Rocks stranded runners in scoring position in the third, fourth, sixth and ninth innings. Wilmington's best chance at another tally came in the sixth when Nick Francis doubled and John Whittleman singled to put runner at the corners with only one out. But Winston-Salem starter Ryan Buch (1-4) wiggled out of the jam unscathed by inducing consecutive infield pop ups.

The close calls became extra painful considering the Dash would manage just two more scores on the day. Winston-Salem got an unearned tally off starter Elisaul Pimentel (4-4) in the third. An error by Whittleman at first was followed by two straight singles to load the bases with nobody out. Ian Gac tied the game when he bounced into a 4-6-3 double play.

The Dash went in front for good in the fifth. Martinez opened the frame with a triple to left-center and then came around to score one out later on Andy Wilkins' RBI grounder to second.

Winston-Salem reliever Taylor Thompson surrendered a lead-off walk in the ninth, and then watched that runner move into scoring position when Tim Ferguson laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt. But that was as far as Whittleman would get, as Thompson retired the final two batters of the contest to nail down his seventh save of the season.

With the first half concluded Wilmington begins its All-Star break on Monday. The Rocks get three days off before welcoming the Lynchburg Hillcats to town on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Broadcast coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. when studio host Adam Dobrowolski brings fans the Rocks Report Pre-game Show, presented by Wawa, on 89.7 WGLS-FM and online at wgls.rowan.edu. For tickets call 302-888-BLUE or visit bluerocks.com. Five Blue Crewers will participate in the All-Star Bash in Modesto California on Tuesday night. Jake Odorizzi, Michael Mariot, Whit Merrifield, Navarro and Whittleman will represent the Rocks for the Carolina League against All-Stars from the California League.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

Nick Francis had another extra-base hit on Sunday. The right fielder went 1-for-3 with a double in the Wilmington loss. Since returning from his brief stint in Double-A on June 6, Francis is hitting .383 (18-for-47) with six doubles, a triple, two home runs and nine RBIs.

One day after becoming the first Blue Rock to hit two homers in a game in 2011, Rey Navarro hit another home run on Sunday afternoon. The first-inning round-tripper gave him sole possession of the team-lead with eight dingers on the season. The infielder had nine career home runs in 379 games prior to this year.

Wilmington finished the 2011 first half with a 36-33 record, good for second place in the Carolina League North and third overall in the league.

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Carolina League Stories from June 19, 2011


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