CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks ride two-run first to 2-1 win

Published on June 11, 2006 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Winston-Salem, NC --- The Wilmington Blue Rocks (29-35) used a two-run first inning and solid pitching from Tommy Hottovy to earn a 2-1 win over the Winston-Salem Warthogs (34-29) at Ernie Shore Field on Sunday evening. With the victory, the Rocks earned a split, winning two games in the four-game set with the Warthogs.

Wilmington took their lead after its first two batters reached to start the game. Jacoby Ellsbury singed to right field and Bryan Pritz followed with a single to right of his own. Two batters later, Jeff Natale lined an RBI single to left for a 1-0 lead.

John Otness then reached on an error by third baseman Garrett Guest to load the bases with one out. Andrew Pinckney came to the plate and lifted a fly ball to shallow center. Chris Amador made the catch, but his throw home was off target, up the line third-base side and a one-hopper on the infield grass. Bryan Pritz tagged and scored from third for a 2-0 Wilmington lead.

The Warthogs got a single unearned run off starter Tommy Hottovy (5-5) in the second. With two outs, Sean Smith tripled into right field. Mickey Hall threw to Jed Lowrie on the outfield grass, back of second base. Lowrie's relay sailed into the third-base stands, allowing Smith to score. Hottovy struck out the next batter, Jose De Los Santos, to end the inning.

Wilmington led 2-1 in at the start of the seventh when John Otness was hit by a pitch. Reliever Dewon Day was forced to leave the game due to injury. As lefty reliever Jay Marshall finished his warm-up tosses for the Warthogs, lightning forced a delay of play. Intense rains followed and after a 47-minute delay, the game was called due to field conditions and continued rain in the forecast.

Hottovy went six innings, allowing one unearned run on five hits, no walks and struck out four. Spot starter Michael Moat (2-3) took the loss, throwing five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and no walks with two strikeouts.

The Blue Rocks will have an off-day tomorrow before starting a three-game series at Potomac on Tuesday night. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m.

GAME NOTES: Tommy Hottovy had lost four of his last five decisions and each of his last two starts before earning his fifth win on Sunday.

Jeff Natale's RBI single in the first inning stretched his streak to 12 games reaching base safely with a hit or a walk as a Blue Rock.

Jacoby Ellsbury committed an error, misplaying a bouncing ball in short center. It marks the first error of the season.

DAMON'S GRILL PLAYER OF THE GAME: Wilmington SP Tommy Hottovy: 6.0 IP, 1R, 0 ER, 5H, 0BB, 4K

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from June 11, 2006


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