CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Fall In Lynchburg, 5-4

Published on May 31, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Lynchburg, VA - For the second time this week, the Wilmington Blue Rocks (26-27) had a chance to soar above sea level and work an over .500 record for the first time this season. And for the second time this week, they failed in that quest with a 5-4 loss in Lynchburg against the Hillcats on Friday night. While Wilmington rallied from two deficits to tie, the Blue Crew never enjoyed a single lead on the game. In defeat, Anthony Seratelli homered twice, giving him three in two days. He is the first Blue Rock to homer twice in one game this season.

The Blue Rocks blew a major opportunity in the opening inning due to suspect base running. Derrick Robinson reached on a bunt base hit and Chris McConnell followed, reaching on an error. McConnell would be caught stealing at second base on a double steal attempt. Kurt Mertins and Joe Dickerson each walked against prospect Daniel Moskos to load the bases, but Dickerson was caught leaning off first base for the second out of the inning, picked off by catcher Steve Lerud. Jeff Bianchi grounded out to third base to end the inning and the Rocks left their first pair of men on the bases en route to stranding nine in total including six in scoring position.

Lynchburg grabbed the lead in the bottom of the first on a two-out RBI double from Jamie Romak, who proved pivotal on the night. After the Blue Rocks tied the game on a Robinson two-out line drive single in the second, the 'Cats grabbed another lead with back-to-back two-out walks and a two-run double from Lerud in the third.

That was all the Hillcats would scratch out against starter Everett Teaford, who allowed three runs on three hits over five innings. The southpaw departed a tie game thanks to a Seratelli two-run homer off Lynchburg reliever Adam Simon in the sixth. But the deadlock was quite short lived. Reliever Ben Swaggerty (0-1) began the bottom half of the same frame by allowing a solo homer to Romak for a 4-3 deficit. Romak went 2-for-2 with his double, homer, two RBIs and a pair of walks.

The second of Romak's walks resulted in a major insurance tally in the eighth. He drew a free pass from Swaggerty with one out and took second on a Lerud single. Wilmington brought in Henry Barrera to face Kent Sakamoto, who singled to right-center to load the bases. Jared Keel, the lone Hillcat with a grand slam this season, came to the plate, and never had to swing the bat. Barrera uncorked his fifth wild pitch of the season to advance each runner one sack, including Romak who scored standing up for a 5-3 count.

Seratelli began the ninth with his second straight home run, a pull job to right against reliever Kevin Roberts. Roberts retired the next two hitters, but McConnell earned a walk to keep the inning alive. Jarrod Dyson pinch ran for the shortstop, and took third on a hit-and-run single to right by Kurt Mertins. With the tying run at third base and the go-ahead score at first, Wilmington's RBI leader came to the plate. Despite the dream scenario, the ending for Wilmington would not be happy as Dickerson struck out to end the game and Roberts earned his first save.

Simon (1-1) got the win despite logging a blown save himself. He surrendered two runs on one hit over three innings with one walk and two strikeouts.

The three-game weekend set continues on Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. Right-hander Matt Kniginyzky (1-5, 4.02) tosses for the Blue Rocks. The Canadian is 1-2 with a 2.96 ERA on the road this season. He opposes southpaw Brian Holliday (1-3, 5.27). Holliday's three losses have come over his last four starts, along with a 10.38 ERA in that span.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

Anthony Seratelli is the first Blue Rock to hit two home runs in a game since Brian McFall slammed a pair at Potomac on July 30, 2007. McFall notched a pair of games with two home runs en route to leading the 2007 squad with 13 home runs and 72 RBIs. He currently ranks second on the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals in homers (9) and RBIs (32).

Seratelli now leads the Blue Rocks with six home runs this season. He has three over the last two days and four this week. The New Jersey native has nine RBIs over the last week, becoming the third Rock to reach 20+ RBIs this season (21).

Jamie Romak's solo homer off Ben Swaggerty was the first hit allowed by the lefty in a Wilmington uniform.

Derrick Robinson went 2-for-5 on the game for his team-leading 19th multi-hit effort of the season. Robinson ranks fifth in the league with 56 hits this season.

Wilmington has had trouble getting things started this season. With Friday's setback, the Blue Crew is 5-12 in series openers.

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Carolina League Stories from May 31, 2008


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