CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Offense Struggles as Wilmington Drops Fifth

Published on June 11, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Salem, VA - The Wilmington Blue Rocks offense managed just six hits and put only three runners in scoring position all night long as the Blue Crew dropped a 3-1 decision to the Salem Red Sox on Tuesday night. The Rocks' fifth straight loss, coupled with Potomac's 3-1 win over Carolina, officially eliminated Wilmington from the race for a first-half Carolina League Northern Division crown.

Tyler Sample turned in the best effort by a Wilmington starter in almost a week, by scattering three runs (two earned) over five innings. Sample (0-2) struggled with command at times, walking four and hitting two batters, but he pitched around major damage by inducing double plays in both the third and fourth innings.

Still, Salem's single tallies in the second, third and fifth frames were good enough to get the job done for the Red Sox. They got on the board thanks to a pair of errors on one play by Wilmington. Brandon Jacobs stole second and moved to third on a high throw by catcher Kenny Swab. Centerfielder Lane Adams overran the errant toss, allowing Jacobs to keep right on running and score the first run of the game.

After Wilmington tied the contest in the top of third on an RBI single by Jack Lopez, the Sox regained the lead in the home-half of the inning. With two outs and nobody on, Garrin Cecchini singled, stole second and scored on Keury De La Cruz's single. The Sox added an insurance run two frames later on De La Cruz's RBI grounder to short.

Meanwhile, the Rocks offense simply could not solve Salem starter William Cuevas. The right-hander, who entered Tuesday with a 7.31 ERA, worked six strong one-run frames. He pitched to contact, striking out only two, but also limited Wilmington's chances to score.

The Rocks stranded a runner at second in the second inning and then a line-drive double play ended a first-and-third threat in the third. The Blue Crew would not move another runner past first base until there were two outs in the ninth. Cheslor Cuthbert doubled off the wall in right at that point against Nate Striz to extend the game. Jared Schlehuber followed with a walk to put the potential tying-run on base, but Geulin Beltre grounded out to short to end the game and give Striz his fourth save of the season.

Wilmington wraps up its six-game road trip in Salem on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. The Blue Crew will send right-hander Kyle Zimmer (0-6, 6.32) to the mound, while the Red Sox will counter with righty Kyle Kraus (1-0, 2.00).

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

After Wilmington's starting pitching had struggled over the first four contests of this six-game road trip, (Kyle Zimmer, John Lamb, Kyle Smith and Sam Selman combined to post an 0-4 record with a 21.52 ERA) Tyler Sample turned in his longest outing of the season on Tuesday. The right-hander allowed three runs (two earned) over five frames, striking out five in the process. For the season, the Wilmington rotation has posted a 4.49 earned run average.

The Wilmington bullpen continues to provide the lone positive news on this rough road trip. Spencer Patton worked the final three innings on Tuesday without allowing a run. That comes on the heels of Malcom Culver, Antonio Cruz and Robinson Yambati combining to work eight innings without yielding an earned run on Monday. Over the last five games, Rocks relievers have worked 25.1 innings collectively while allowing only three earned runs. On the season, the Blue Crew bullpen has posted a scant 2.87 ERA.

Jared Schlehuber worked an important two-out walk in the ninth inning on Tuesday, but still saw his 12-game road-hitting streak come to a close. The first baseman finished his night 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Still, Schlehuber has been an incredible hitter on the road this year, where he is batting .373 as opposed to just .147 at Frawley Stadium.

Tyler Chism continues to show signs of life at the plate. He went 2-for-3 with a double and scored the Rocks lone run on Tuesday. The performance marked his second two-hit game in the last three contests. His batting average has risen by 33 points (from .149 to .182) over that stretch.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from June 11, 2013


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