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CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Offense Explodes, Hangs Sox Out to Dry 12-4 in Series Opener

May 13, 2016 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Salem, VA - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (10-23) offense had been dormant through the entirety of the three game series against the Frederick Keys, but erupted in game one of their four game set against the Salem Red Sox (24-10) to take the opener 12-4. Three separate Blue Crew members notched multi-hit games and four separate batters drove in multiple runs as the Rocks scored as many runs on Friday as their last six games combined.

Brandon Downes and Elier Hernandez opened up the scoring with RBI singles in the first. They kept it going in the second inning with three more runs, the first coming home on a double by Alfredo Escalera and the second on a single by Corey Toups. The third run of the frame crossed the plate on a wild pitch, and it seemed like the Sox would start to make their way back into the game when they scored a run in the bottom of the second, but the Rocks offense kept pouring it on.

Toups doubled home another run in the fourth and Downes pushed him home with a single to make it 7-1 after four innings. Wander Franco joined the hit parade with a double of his own in the sixth to drive in a pair and give the Rocks a 9-1 lead. Salem collected three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning, but the Blue Crew came right back to slam the door in the eighth. They scored three more runs, the first of which came home on a Salem error and the final two on a single by Robert Pehl.

The Rocks snapped their three game skid with the win as newcomer Kyle Kubat registered the victory to move to 1-0. Travis Lakins was credited with the loss and dropped to 4-2. The Blue Crew goes back at it Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. when Matt Tenuta (2-1, 4.65) takes on LHP Jalem Meeks (4-1, 2.90). Fans interested in listening to the game can tune in to 89.7 WGLS-FM for the call.

Pebbles of Knowledge

Friday marked the longest outing of the season for Derek Gordon. In four innings the right-hander yielded just one run on one hit, fanning two and walking none. He had not made it more than three innings in any of his first nine appearances. Gordon made his first start since September 2, 2015 against Ogden in Rookie Ball. Last season the Nebraska native worked exclusively as a starter for the Chukars, going 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA on his way to being named Idaho Falls Pitcher of the Year.

Humberto Areaga had three hits for only the second time this season. The middle infielder last registered three knocks in one contest on April 10 against Potomac. Arteaga needed the big night, as his averaged had dropped 71 points since April 21. He also scored three runs in Friday's win, which was good for a season high and only the third time he has scored multiple times in a game this season.

The Blue Crew did not register a single hit with runners in scoring position in their series against the Frederick Keys. That streak snapped against Salem when they went 6-for-16, leaving just seven men on base. The offense managed double-digit hits for the ninth time in a game this season and the first time in the last three weeks. It was the second-most hits and second-most runs in any game this season when they scored 13 runs and collected seven hits against Frederick on April 20.

Brandon Downes continues to fight his way out of a slump. The outfielder had two hits and drove in two runs on Friday to move his average up to .228. He has hit safely in six of his last eight games while driving in four runs and scoring a pair. Downes was slotted into the cleanup spot and was part of the 2, 3, 4 combination that collected seven and the 2, 3, 4, 5 batters that drove in eight runs.

They Said It

Blue Rocks Infielder Humberto Arteaga

"Playing from in front always makes it easier. And the biggest thing is we kept pushing the whole game. We did pretty good pretty much everybody. We need these kind of games because they bring us a lot of confidence."

"As everybody knows we've been struggling this whole first half. But to do this against Salem, I mean they've been crushing it all year, so it proves that we can do this type of thing against anyone."

"The last four or five games I've been feeling really good at the plate. And then to get those hits today I feel like I'm on my way back."

"I've been working really hard with (Abraham Nunez) in the cage. I've been working on timing. I'm going away from the leg kick and seeing the ball much better now. I feel like I'm getting it back at the plate."

Blue Rocks Starter Derek Gordon

"I found out I was starting 10:30 the night before. They asked me how I feel about starting. I said 'I can do that I just don't have the conditioning yet' They said, 'well how about tomorrow,' so I said, 'um sure.' But I knew they wouldn't put me in a spot they didn't think I could handle."

"I was just trying to make things easier on the bullpen. We were down a guy with Pedro going up to Double-A, which he definitely deserved, but I needed to eat some outs out there."

"I was a starter all last year and in spring training so it wasn't a huge adjustment. I didn't find out I was going to be a reliever until I came here, so I was ready. My arm's a little sore right now after four innings but I'll be good."

"That was a big win for us. The bats came alive. We've been getting so many loud outs the last couple weeks and it was great to see those guys finally get rewarded by finding some holes."

Blue Rocks Manager Jamie Quirk

"Anytime the offense shows up like that you're going to have success. I hate to say it but I think the weather helped a lot. It was warm, the guys' energy was up and they were ready to play baseball. You don't want to make any excuses, but it certainly helped us tonight. There was a different atmosphere for us."

"No matter what your lineup is you need the guys at the top of the order to get on base and score runs. We certainly did that. And then credit the guys behind them for coming up with big hits to drive them in. That hasn't always been our point of strength this season. But when your top of the order gets on base it creates havoc and the pitcher gets stuck in the stretch and good things happen."

"Downes is a guy who has driven in runs in his career. He's a guy who is projected to be a three-four hitter. When he does his thing it takes pressure off of everybody else. That's the tough thing about hitting in the middle of the lineup. There is expectation there."

"Gordon really stepped up and saved us. Making a spot start and getting through four innings, you can't ask for anything more than that. Then the rest of the 'pen came in and did their job." "Those are the types of games you dread because it can shred your bullpen. But our guys really came through. It was an excellent job by the relievers today."

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