CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks rally for win over Hillcats

June 29, 2006 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE --- The Wilmington Blue Rocks (35-35, 5-2) returned from the All-Star break to open up a six game home stand beginning with three against the Lynchburg Hillcats (34-36, 1-5), Carolina League affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wilmington rallied from two runs down and Gary Galvez pitched six solid innings in a 6-2 win.

Galvez (4-3) worked six innings and allowed two runs on just four hits to earn his first win since June 10. Galvez also walked two and struck out three.

The Blue Rocks bullpen held the Hillcats scoreless over the final three innings allowing just one hit and two walks.

The Blue Rocks broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning plating one run for a 3-2 lead. With the bases loaded and no outs Ian Bladergroen grounded into a fielder's choice, which allowed Claudio Arias to score from third. The Hillcats tried to turn two when Bladergroen grounded to second but Lynchburg shortstop Brent Lillibridge could not turn two only getting the force out at second.

The Blue Rocks added three more runs in the seventh to take a 6-2 lead. With two outs Jeff Natale doubled then scored when Arias singled to make push the lead to 4-2. Andrew Pinckney then followed up with a double to put runners on second and third for John Otness. Otness capped off the scoring in the inning with a two-run single scoring both Arias and Pinckney.

The Hillcats took the early lead plating a run in the first and a run in the third for a 2-0 lead. Pedro Powell led off the game with a walk then scored two batters later on a sac-fly to right from Mike Carlin. Lynchburg made it 2-0 in the third when Carlin connected for a two-out double then scored when Steven Pearce followed up with an RBI single.

Wilmington cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third on a two-out RBI single from Scott White. Jacoby Ellsbury worked a two-out walk then moved up to second on a stolen base, his 19th of the season. White came up next and connected on a single back up the middle to score the Blue Rocks first run of the game.

The Blue Rocks tied it at 2-2 in the fourth on a two-out RBI double from Bladergroen. Pinckney singled with one out then scored from first when Bladergroen doubled down the right field line.

Kyle Jackson worked 1.2 innings in relief allowing just one hit while striking out four and walking one.

Beau Vaughan worked just a third of an inning facing just two batters and recorded the final out in the eighth.

Rain moved into the area in the bottom of the eighth and caused a 48-minute rain delay. When play was resumed Justin Sturge pitched the ninth for the Blue Rocks striking out one and walking a batter to preserve the 6-2 win.

The Blue Rocks and Hillcats resume their series on Friday night with the Blue Rocks sending lefty Tommy Hottovy (7-5, 2.98) to the mound. Lynchburg will counter with their southpaw Kyle Bloom (3-4, 3.97). Game time is at 7:05 p.m.

GAME NOTES: Catcher John Otness finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs and threw a runner out at second.

Ian Bladergroen also drove in two runs and finished 1-for-4

Wilmington has won 13 of their last 15 games.

DAMON'S GRILL PLAYER OF THE GAME: Wilmington 3B Andrew Pinckney - 3-for-3, 2R, BB

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics



Carolina League Stories from June 29, 2006


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