CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Fall in 10 Innings to Myrtle Beach

Published on May 17, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Myrtle Beach, SC--- After winning the first four games of their seven-game road trip in Kinston, the Wilmington Blue Rocks dropped their second in a row to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans with a 4-3, 10-inning loss on Saturday afternoon at Coastal Federal Field.

Tony Pena drilled a two-out single over the head of right fielder Justin Cowan to knock in the winning run from second base.

Jorge Vasquez (1-2) was tagged with the loss, his second on the season. Vasquez worked out of a jam in the ninth inning, but ran into immediate trouble in the 10th with Greg Miller reaching on an error by Ruben Gotay.

Vasquez proceeded to walk Charles Thomas on four straight pitches to put runners on at first and second base with no outs. Aaron Herr, who smacked a home run in the first inning, tried to advance the runners with a bunt, but catcher Tony Arnerich was able to get the force out on Miller for the first out of the inning.

Vasquez fanned Andy Marte on three straight pitches for the second out of the inning, but Pena ended the game with his game-winning hit.

Brian Bass started for the Rocks on Saturday afternoon. The Pinehurst, NC native allowed three earned runs on six hits over six innings and picked up his fifth no-decision of the season.

Bass gave up his first home run of the season to Herr in the first inning. It was Herr's fifth home run of the season and his second against Wilmington.

Myrtle Beach added two runs in the fourth inning on a run-scoring double by Carlos Duran and a RBI groundout by J.C. Boscan.

Bass went on to retire eight in a row to finish and left with the game tied, 3-3.

Wilmington began chipping away with two runs in the sixth inning against Myrtle Beach starter Zach Miner. Andres Blanco led off the sixth with a triple and scored Wilmington's first run a sacrifice fly by John Draper.

Ruben Gotay walked with two outs and scored all the way from first base on a double by Trey Dyson. Dyson's double extended his hitting streak to seven in a row. He was eventually left stranded after Justin Cowan struck out to end the inning.

Wilmington tied the game at 3-3 in the seventh inning. Denny McDaniel entered in place of Miner and allowed a leadoff single to J.D. Alleva.

Alleva scored the tying run on a throwing error by shortstop Bryon Jeffcoat. Scott Thorman, who fielded Jeffcoat's errant throw behind the first-base bag fired home to try to get Alleva, but the runner was ruled safe by home plate umpire John Blackburn.

Randy Ingle came out to protest, but to no avail. Ingle then went to the bullpen and brought in Marcel Vianna (4-1), who eventually picked up the win.

Wilmington manager Billy Gardner Jr. was ejected by base umpire Joe Stegner after Stegner ruled that Andres Blanco had to stay at first base after Thorman's throw to the plate. It was the second ejection of the season for Gardner.

Aric Leclair turned in one his best outings of the season out of the bullpen, working two-plus innings and fanning four along the way before giving way to Vasquez in the ninth inning.

The Rocks conclude their three-game series with the Pelicans on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. Zach McClellan (2-0, 1.45) takes the hill for his third straight start since entering the rotation in place of the injured Mike Stodolka. The Pelicans take the field on Sunday, looking for their ninth straight win and their fifth in a row against Wilmington. Matt Coenen (0-2, 2.91) takes the hill for his eighth start of the season and his first against Wilmington.

Game Notes: Derrik Lytle started in left field for the Blue Rocks on Saturday and went 2-for-3 with a walk. Lytle has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games.

The Rocks are 7-7 in one-run games and 1-3 in extra-inning games this season.

The Pelicans lead the season series, 5-4, with four of the contests decided by one run.

Jason Gilfillan, who pitched with Wilmington in 2000 and 2001, made his big league debut on Friday evening with the Kansas City Royals. Gilfillan allowed four runs over one inning in work in Kansas City's 18-1 loss to Toronto. Gilfillan is the third former Wilmington player to make it to the big leagues this season and the 61st since 1993.

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Carolina League Stories from May 17, 2003


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