CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Open Myrtle Beach Series With Back-to-Back Losses

Published on July 14, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - For five innings on Tuesday Mario Santiago looked the like the pitcher who won Carolina League Hurler of the Week honors back in mid-June. The right-hander's control was impeccable and he was keeping Myrtle Beach hitters at bay by routinely changing speeds.

Then came the sixth inning, and in the blink of an eye it all fell apart, as the Pelicans posted four runs and went ahead for good on their way to a 6-3 victory over the Wilmington Blue Rocks at Frawley Stadium.

Santiago (4-10) breezed through the first five frames by allowing only two hits. But with a 1-0 lead entering the sixth he would allow four Myrtle Beach knocks. Back-to-back singles by Cole Miles and Michael Fisher opened the frame, and put runners at the corners. After Donnell Linares struck out swinging, Ernesto Mejia evened the game with a sac fly.

Gerry Rodriguez followed with a single that put men back at first and third with one out for Benji Johnson. Santiago was one pitch from escaping the jam, but he was also one pitch away from disaster, and that is exactly what the right-hander found, as Johnson launched a home run over the left-field fence to put the Pelicans on top, 4-1.

Meanwhile former Royals farmhand Erik Cordier continued his mastery over Kansas City's Advanced-A affiliate, earning the victory by surrendering only a pair of runs over six innings.

In two starts against the Rocks this season, Big Blue's 2004 second round pick has a 2-0 record with a 2.19 ERA. On Tuesday Cordier (3-5) added three strikeouts and allowed only five base runners on his way to the win.

Wilmington did briefly hold a 1-0 advantage thanks to a bloop double down the left-field line by Chase Fonatine. He would score two batters later when Cordier uncorked a wild pitch to put the Rocks in front.

After Santiago's issues in the top of the sixth, the Rocks responded with a score in the home half of the frame. Derrick Robinson opened the inning with a line-drive single up the middle. He then stole second, and scored on Clint Robinson's slicing double up the third-base chalk.

But Myrtle Beach responded again in the seventh. This time four straight two-out singles by Miles, Fisher, Linares and Mejia plated two more runs, and put the game out of reach.

Santiago was charged with all six of the scores. He did strike out five, but also surrendered 10 hits.

The Rocks added a meaningless run in the ninth when a Derrick Robinson double scored Adrian Ortiz.

The teams face each other again on Wednesday night on the Riverfront. Wilmington sends Eduardo Paulino (3-5, 4.84) to the hill, while Myrtle Beach counters with Jose Ortegano (3-5, 3.84). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. After the game there will be a spectacular fireworks show courtesy of Viwinco.

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Carolina League Stories from July 14, 2009


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