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CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Fall in Frederick Yet Again

August 15, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Frederick, MD - On a night when pitching reigned supreme, an early home run proved to be the difference. Despite out-hitting the Frederick Keys, 7-5, Manny Machado's two-run homer in the opening inning tipped the scales as the Wilmington Blue Rocks dropped a 3-1 decision on Monday night in Frederick.

Machado's dinger came against starter Tim Melville. The Wilmington right-hander started the game by issuing a full-count free pass to Steve Bumbry. Melville (8-9) then got lucky when Nick Van Stratten chased down Jonathan Schoop's ensuing fly ball to the warning track in right. He was not so fortunate three pitches later when Machado sent one soaring over the left-center fence to put the Keys on top, 2-0.

That was enough for Frederick starter Nathan Moreau. The left-hander shut Wilmington down during his six innings pitched. Moreau (11-9) fanned six and walked none as he yielded just five hits and nary a run.

Melville pitched almost as well after the Machado long ball. He retired seven in a row at one point, and 16 of his final 18 batters faced overall. He left after six frames having surrendered two runs on three hits while whiffing three and walking two.

Allen Caldwell replaced Melville in the seventh, and made his first mistake of the season. Caldwell allowed a one-run solo shot to Brian Ward to put the Keys on top, 3-0. He had not surrendered an earned run with the Rocks before Monday.

Wilmington would not go down without a fight in the ninth though. John Whittleman started the rally attempt with a one-out solo homer to right-center. After Ryan Stovall was retired, Tim Ferguson kept the game going by drawing a free pass. That brought a pitching change from the Keys, as out went right-hander Justin Moore and in came southpaw Chris Petrini.

Petrini appeared to seal the win by fanning Julio Rodriguez, but his pitch got past Ward and went to the backstop allowing Rodriguez to reach and putting the potential tying run on for Joey Lewis. Unfortunately for the Rocks, Petrini was not deterred, and he responded by striking out Lewis to end the game.

The Blue Rocks look for revenge on Tuesday when they visit the Keys again at 7 p.m. Elisaul Pimentel (5-7, 3.77) hits the hill for Wilmington against left-hander Jake Pettit (5-0, 1.07). Broadcast coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. as 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.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

Whit Merrifield got yet another start at second base. It was his 12th start at the position in his last 13 contests, and his 23rd of the season in 108 games played.

Yem Prades went 1-for-4 in the setback. The outfielder singled in the seventh, but was gunned down trying to stretch his knock to a double. The hit still extended his hitting streak to nine games. Prades has batted .314 (11-for-35) during the streak.

Wilmington's futility in Frederick continued on Monday. The Rocks have dropped seven of their eight contests at Harry Grove Stadium in 2011, getting outscored 21-13 in the process.

Nathan Moreau owns the Wilmington Blue Rocks. In six starts against the Blue Crew Moreau has posted a 4-1 mark with a 2.41 ERA. The left-hander's last win before Monday also came against the Rocks. Since beating the Blue Crew on July 15 Moreau had gone 0-3 with a 6.85 earned run average in four starts.

Before the game right-handed reliever Tyler Graham was sent to Low-A Kane County (MWL). He never pitched for the Blue Crew over his two days on the active roster. Sunday's rainout was slated to be a bullpen game due to a rainout and doubleheader earlier in the week, so Graham was brought up as insurance. The move puts Wilmington at 24 active players, one below the Carolina League limit.

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