Rocks halt Hillcat offense
July 27, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release
Wilmington, DE - Facing an offense that had managed 20 hits and 11 runs just over 24 hours earlier, the Wilmington Blue Rocks pitching staff went into lockdown mode on Monday night at Frawley Stadium. The result was the Rocks' 12th shutout victory of the season, as they beat the Lynchburg Hillcats, 1-0, in a game that lasted a scant two hours and five minutes.
Three Wilmington hurlers combined to befuddle the Hillcat hitters. Starter Eduardo Paulino was the catalyst, as the right-hander tossed seven strong innings, surrendering only three hits, and striking out four.
Paulino (4-6), who was coming off of an unlucky 1-0 loss in his previous start against Myrtle Beach on Tuesday, refused to let luck play a role in Monday's contest. He allowed only three base runners all game, and let just one of them reach scoring position.
In fact, not a single Hillcat got as far as third base all night.
The only time Paulino had to sweat came in the top of the fifth inning when he let the first two men reach on singles. But he then got Erik Huber to pop out, and induced a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Eddie Prasch to escape the jam unscathed.
The threat came on the heels of the Rocks plating their lone run of the game.
Wilmington's tally came courtesy of a lead-off bloop-double by designated hitter Clint Robinson in the bottom of the fourth. Robinson then advanced to third on an unselfish groundout to the right side of the infield by Eric Hosmer, and came home on Nick Van Stratten's RBI grounder to short.
The score came off of Lynchburg starter Matt McSwain, who took the loss despite pitching well. McSwain (8-6) yielded just the one score on six hits, over seven frames.
Meanwhile, Paulino gave way to reliever Eric Basurto in the eighth. The right-hander, who was making only his second appearance as a Blue Rock and his first at Frawley Stadium, cruised through the eighth in order. He then recorded two outs in the ninth before Jose De Los Santos managed an infield single.
That caused Wilmington manager Brian Rupp to insert closer Brandon Sisk in an attempt to retire one more batter. The hard-throwing left-hander let De Los Santos steal second and walked Jared Keel before whiffing Jordy Mercer with a called third strike to pick up his 11th save.
Wilmington has now won five of its last six games, and will look to stay hot on Tuesday when it hosts the Hillcats again at 7:05 p.m. The Rocks will send Carolina League All-Star Danny Duffy (8-3, 3.26) to the mound, while Lynchburg will counter with right-hander Ronald Uviedo (5-3, 3.24). Off the field, the Blue Crew will pay tribute to the legendary television show "Let's Make a Deal."
Carolina League Stories from July 27, 2009
- Lopsided opener goes to Potomac - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Rizzo's three-run jack not enough as Sox fall 4-3 - Salem Red Sox
- Rocks halt Hillcat offense - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- P-Nats dish out pummeling of Pelicans - Potomac Nationals
- Blue Rocks top Cats in pitchers' duel - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Britton Befuddles Salem - Frederick Keys
- One-run woes continue as K-Tribe falls, 3-2 - Kinston Indians
- Dash continue mastery of Indians, take opener - Winston-Salem Dash
- Pelicans Game Notes for July 27 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Kinston's Eric Berger is the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week - Kinston Indians
- Hillcats at Blue Rocks Tonight - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Nelson Named Player of the Week - Potomac Nationals
- Potomac Nationals Game Notes - Potomac Nationals
- Sounds' Dillard Named PCL Pitcher Of The Week - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Moustakas' Mash Highlights 5-4 Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
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