CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Routed in Road Trip Opener

Published on July 19, 2011 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Myrtle Beach, SC - In a rematch of a 3-2 final exactly one week earlier, few expected a lopsided affair. But two teams headed in opposite directions continued their momentum as the Wilmington Blue Rocks (45-47, 9-14) absorbed a 10-1 pounding at the hands of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (53-40, 13-11). The Blue Crew's fourth straight loss was also its 14th in 21 games. The setback sunk Wilmington to a season-worst two games below .500 overall. Meanwhile, the Fightin' Feathers proved victorious for a fifth straight time.

Southpaw Justin Marks (5-7) failed to last five frames for the first time as a Blue Rocks starter. In fact, he only went 3.1 innings while allowing six runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks. The former Big East Pitcher of the Year saw the two unearned tallies cross in the third to disrupt a scoreless deadlock. A throwing error by Jose Bonilla opened the door for Jared Bolden's RBI fielder's choice and Zach Zaneski's run-scoring double.

Then came the fourth. While only one error was charged that inning, several misplays extended the action. The Pelicans batted around in the five-run frame, with the key blow coming from prospect shortstop Leury Garcia. With men at first and third and one out, a squeeze bunt saw Ryan Stovall charge from first to field the ball. He bobbled it several times thereafter and consequently had no play. Scored a bunt single and an RBI, the modest knock proved the gateway to bigger things.

Bolden followed with an RBI single and Marks got the hook with Brendan Lafferty entering from the bullpen. The southpaw allowed both of his inherited runners to score with a balk sending Garcia home. Lafferty faced five men before recording his second out to end the inning.

Stovall doubled to begin the fifth. Kurt Mertins followed with a single to right and a wild pitch by Robbie Ross (9-3) coincided with Stovall darting home for Wilmington's lone run.

The Pelicans promptly responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to account for the 10-1 final. All of the runs came courtesy of consecutive homers by Garcia and Bolden.

The four-game set continues at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Wilmington right-hander Elisaul Pimentel (5-6, 3.72) gets the ball against lefty Miguel De Los Santos (2-1, 2.25). Broadcast coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. as studio host Adam Dobrowolski brings fans the Rocks Report Pre-game Show, presented by Wawa, on 89.7 WGLS-FM and online at wgls.rowan.edu.

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Carolina League Stories from July 19, 2011


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