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CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Mute Myrtle Beach Rally

September 1, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE- Despite letting a late two-run lead slip through their fingers, the Wilmington Blue Rocks had enough offensive magic in the ninth inning to earn a 4-3 walk-off win over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Frawley Stadium on Tuesday. Johnny Giavotella's two-out infield single brought home the winning-run for the Rocks.

Ryan Eigsti started the Wilmington rally in the final frame with a one-out single to left. After Anthony Seratelli flew out to left, Derrick Robinson singled through the hole at second base. Heads up base running by Eigsti saw the catcher motor his way into third base. That allowed Giavotella's nubbing grounder up the third-base line to give the Blue Crew a win. Pitcher Cory Gearrin (0-2) hustled off the mound and picked up the ball as it refused to roll foul, but he had no play.

The rally erased a bitter turn of events for Wilmington over the final two frames. The Rocks' bullpen allowed single runs in the eighth and ninth innings to blow a 3-1 lead.

In the eighth, Barry Bowden surrendered a two-out RBI single to Cole Miles, which pulled the Pelicans to within one run. Then in the top of the ninth, back-to-back one-out doubles by Gerry Rodriguez and Jesus Sucre tied the game.

Even though he blew the save, Wilmington reliever Louis Coleman did a solid job escaping the inning with the game still even. Coleman got Chris Shehan to pop out and Chais Fuller on a fly ball to right. As a result, Coleman (3-1) received the win.

The lost lead spoiled another stellar outing by reigning Carolina League Pitcher of the Week Alex Caldera though. The Blue Rocks' opening day starter fanned seven Pelicans hitters as he tossed six one-run frames.

The right-hander, who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his previous outing, retired 10 straight at one point on Tuesday. Caldera set the Pelicans down 1-2-3 in four of his six frames. His lone blemish came on a solo home run off the bat of Sucre in the fifth.

Caldera left in line for the win thanks to three one-run frames by his offense.

The Rocks took a 1-0 lead in the second when Chase Fontaine's RBI single up the middle plated Nick Van Stratten. Then in the fourth, Wilmington made it 2-0 thanks again to the combination of Van Stratten and Fontaine. Van Stratten opened the inning with a single, went to second on a Jamar Walton groundout to the pitcher, and came home to score on Fontaine's single past a diving Miles at second base.

Fontaine finished the night 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs, while Van Stratten went 1-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.

Wilmington added what turned out to be a critical insurance run in the fifth. Derrick Robinson singled and moved into scoring position when Giavotella reached on catcher's interference. That allowed Mike Moustakas' ensuing line-drive single up the middle to make it 3-1.

Wilmington closes out this three-game set with Myrtle Beach on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Danny Gutierrez (1-0, 1.65) takes the hill for the Rocks. He will be opposed by Myrtle Beach left-hander Richard Sullivan (2-12, 4.44). Off the field, there will be a special appearance by the Philadelphia Eagles' mascot Swoop, and the Rocks will pay tribute to the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air."

For tickets call 302-888-BLUE.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

Alex Caldera's seven strikeouts were his most in a game since May 30, when he punched-out eight batters in a victory over, ironically enough, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

Wilmington starters have fanned 27 batters in 18.1 innings pitched over the last three games. Danny Duffy whiffed eight Red Sox on Sunday, while Michael Montgomery followed with 12 punchouts in Monday night's win over the Pelicans.

The walk-off win was Wilmington's fourth such victory of the season.

The victory gave Wilmington a 10-9 lead in the season-series with Myrtle Beach. Tuesday's win was the Rocks' fourth straight over the Pelicans.

Wilmington now has 80 wins on the season, the first time a team from the Riverfront has accomplished that feat since 2003.

The Potomac Nationals earned a walk-off win of their own on Tuesday, beating the Lynchburg Hillcats 4-3, to stay within 2.5 games of the Rocks in the Carolina League North. Wilmington's magic number to clinch a postseason berth is down to four.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics



Carolina League Stories from September 1, 2009


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