CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Fall 4-1 in Season Opener

Published on April 8, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Myrtle Beach, SC - Gerry Rodriguez broke up a 1-1 tie with a two-run homer in the sixth inning to lead the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (1-0) to a 4-1 triumph over the Wilmington Blue Rocks (0-1) in the 2010 season opener Thursday night. Wilmington's offense never clicked as Pelicans pitching faced just two over the minimum from the second inning through the ninth. Blue Crew starter Michael Montgomery took a no-decision. The Royals' top prospect, according to Baseball America, allowed one unearned run in five frames. Jamie Romak knocked in the Rocks' lone score as the Blue Rocks fell to 11-7 in season openers.

Rehabbing big leaguer Alex Gordon got Wilmington's scoring started when he was hit by a pitch in the first frame with two outs and the bases empty. Eric Hosmer followed with a sharp single through the left-side hole and Romak singled to center, plating Gordon for a 1-0 lead. No Blue Rock would move beyond second base again.

Montgomery lost the advantage in the third. After retiring the first six men he faced, his first baserunner came courtesy of a throwing error by shortstop Ryan Wood at the start of the third. Shane Moody reached on the miscue, took second on a groundout, third on a broken-bat comebacker and scored on an RBI single from Cole Miles down the left-field line for a 1-1 draw.

Riquy Pena (0-1) began the sixth out of the Wilmington bullpen by striking out Yoel Campusano. He then jumped ahead 0-2 on left fielder Adam Milligan, but the prospect worked the count full before notching a single to right. Rodriguez followed by blasting a 1-0 pitch to left to put the Pelicans ahead for good.

The Blue Rocks' best chance to cut into its deficit came in the sixth against reliever Matt Crim (1-0). With one out, Gordon singled and took second on an errant pick-off attempt. Hosmer walked before Romak bounced into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Closer Benino Pruneda, Jr. worked a scoreless and hitless ninth for his first save of the season.

Game two of the four-game series on Friday night will showcase the Advanced-A debut of the sixth-ranked prospect in the Royals system according to Baseball America, right-hander Tim Melville. He will oppose repeating southpaw Cole Rohrbough. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

The game started 13 minutes late due to Opening Night ceremonies but took just 2:13 to play.

Alex Gordon went 1-for-2 with a walk, a bruise and a run scored. He made a pair of nifty gloves at third base, including a tight hop off the bat of Gerardo Avila in the fourth to get a force at first.

The home run by Gerry Rodriguez clouded an otherwise clutch showing by Wilmington pitching. Despite allowing some jams, Blue Rocks hurlers held the Pelicans to a slim 2-for-12 showing with runners in scoring position.

The Blue Rocks finished with just four hits, three of which game from the heart of the order (batters No. 3-5).

A standing-room crowd of 6,336 was on hand.

Ryan Wood finished with two errors, both throwing.

All three of Wilmington's pitchers used in the game allowed at least one run. James Thompson surrendered a single score in the eighth.

Myrtle Beach starter Randall Delgado retired the final 10 batters he faced. He allowed just one run on three hits and no walks over five innings, striking out five and hitting one batter.

These teams have opened each of their last nine seasons against each other. The Blue Rocks are now 6-3 in those clashes.

Only one other Carolina League game went final as rain suspended play between Potomac and Salem in Woodbridge, VA and never allowed Frederick's contest in Lynchburg to even begin. Winston-Salem bested Kinston 7-1 at Historic Grainger Stadium.

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Carolina League Stories from April 8, 2010


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