Rocks Shocked in Late Inning Defeat
Published on May 21, 2018 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release
Woodbridge, VA - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (17-26) were stunned in the series opener against the Potomac Nationals (23-17) in a 3-1 loss Monday night at Pfitzner Stadium. Potomac's outfielder Rhett Wiseman hit a game-tying home run in the seventh inning before he launched a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to provide all the offense for the P-Nats and hand the Blue Rocks yet another heartbreaking loss. Wilmington's starter Jace Vines tossed six-plus innings of one-run ball in a no-decision.
Tied 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs, Wiseman smacked his second homer of the ballgame with a go-ahead, two-run home run off Blue Rocks' reliever Vance Tatum to put the P-Nats out in front 3-1. The Rocks went down in order on three straight strikeouts in the top of the ninth inning as Potomac's closer Jordan Mills shut the door.
The game started as a pitching duel between Vines and Potomac's hurler Sterling Sharp through the first six innings of work. Both pitchers exchanged scoreless innings through the first four frames before the Rocks cracked the scoreboard for the game's initial run. With two outs and Gabriel Cancel at second, Nick Heath laced a single to right field to plate Cancel before he was thrown out at second base to end the inning. Wilmington had a chance to add to its 1-0 lead in the top of the seventh inning with runners at second and third with one out. However, Angelo Castellano and Heath struck out consecutively to end the threat and the inning.
Vines had his lone blemish in the bottom of the seventh inning against the final batter he faced in another strong outing. With one out, Wiseman launched a game-tying solo homer over the right field wall to knot the game at 1-1. It chased Vines out of the game, but the righty turned in another quality start and allowed just the lone run, scattered seven hits, did not walk a batter, struck out three in 6.1 innings of work in a no-decision.
The Blue Rocks and P-Nats play the second game of the series on Tuesday, May 22, at Pfitzner Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with righty Anthony Bender (1-2, 6.21 ERA) makes the start for the Rocks while right-hander Wil Crow (5-0, 2.79 ERA) climbs the mound for the P-Nats. Fans can listen to the game as Matt Janus and Cory Nidoh will have the call on 89.7 WGLS-FM.
PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:
Right-hander Jace Vines turned in his second straight quality start after he allowed just one earned run in 6.1 innings of work Monday night at Potomac. Vines tossed six scoreless innings, the longest stretch by the sinker-baller this season. Over his last six starts, Vines has allowed just 11 earned runs in 37 innings of work for a 2.68 ERA. In his first three outings of the season, he posted a 9.76 ERA and allowed 18 runs in 16.2 innings.
The Rocks have lost four straight games for the second time this season. The first time was back on April 8-11 when they lost the series finale against the P-Nats before the Blue Crew were swept by Salem in three games. With the setback, Wilmington is a season-worst nine-games below .500 on the season.
All but two Blue Rocks picked up a hit in Monday night's loss. Khalil Lee paced the offense with a pair of hits, including a double, for his ninth multi-hit game of the season. He is third on the team in that category trailing Emmanuel Rivera (11) and Kort Peterson (10). Lee's on-base percentage continues to climb with the pair of hits and is now at .412 on the season which is good for second in the Carolina League.
Carolina League Stories from May 21, 2018
- Rocks Shocked in Late Inning Defeat - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Sox Flummox Frederick 5-1 Monday - Salem RidgeYaks
- Wiseman Goes Deep Twice in Potomac's 3-1 Win - Potomac Nationals
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- May 21 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
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- Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Game Notes, May 21 vs. Lynchburg - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- House Autry Family Fun Nights, State Employee Appreciation Weekend and More Coming Up - Carolina Mudcats
- P-Nats Host Need for Speed Night at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium on Saturday, May 26th - Potomac Nationals
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