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CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Smother Salem

August 28, 2007 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - Brad McCann's first-inning blast and Brian McFall's continued assault on the Carolina League paved the way for the Wilmington Blue Rocks' seventh straight victory, a 5-2 triumph over the Salem Avalanche in the opener of a four-game set at Frawley Stadium on Tuesday night. The Rocks have lost just once over their past 13 games and, in the process, trimmed their magic number to clinch the Northern Division's second-half title down to a single game.

With one out and two men aboard in the opening inning, McCann crushed his sixth homer of the season over the right-center field fence. Jose Duarte and Mario Lisson, who singled off Salem starter Sean Walker earlier in the frame, scored ahead of McCann's shot, giving the Rocks a 3-0 lead out of the box.

The way right-hander Dan Cortes has been pitching of late, that early cushion seemed like a king's ransom. The 20-year-old Pomona, CA entered action a winner in each of his last four decisions while holding the opposition to just four earned runs over his last 35 innings. He also came in boasting the Pitcher of the Week tag in the circuit thanks to last Thursday's seven-inning shutout victory over the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

The youngest Blue Rock did not disappoint the Frawley faithful on Tuesday, controlling the Avalanche over seven masterful innings and snaring his fifth straight victory. Cortes allowed just two hits while fanning six and walking two, twirling seven scoreless frames in an outing for the third time in his last five starts. He retired 13 of the last 14 men he faced.

Cortes (7-8) lowered his season ERA to 3.20, which qualifies as the fourth lowest in the loop.

McFall continued his month-long rampage and expanded the Wilmington advantage with a two-out, two-run double in the fifth. Maddox doubled with one out and was chased to third on Lisson's infield single to shortstop. After a McCann groundout, McFall shot a laser into the left field corner to plate the pair and put the Blue Rocks ahead, 5-0.

Over his last 30 games, McFall is hitting .398 with 38 RBIs. For the season, the Flagstaff, AZ native is second on the Rocks with a .286 average and leads the club with 71 RBIs.

The Avalanche broke the shutout bid against Tyler Chambliss in the eighth. A one-out RBI double by Billy Hart cracked the scoring column for the Avs. Mitch Einertson, the league's leading hitter, singled off Chambliss' glove, scoring Hall from second.

But, the former Florida State star recovered, getting the next two men in order. Chris Johnson, the son of former Blue Rock manager Ron Johnson, flew out to left to end the inning.

Patrick Green worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth to record his fifth save in eight chances.

The Blue Rocks and Avalanche continue their series on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Wilmington will send a pitcher to be determined against Salem right-hander Casey Hudspeth (2-1, 4.70).

GAME NOTES: The second-place Potomac Nationals defeated the Lynchburg Hillcats, 8-4, at Pfitzner Stadium on Tuesday night. The P-Nats have now won eight consecutive ballgames and remain six games behind the Blue Rocks in the Northern Division. A Wilmington win or a Potomac loss on Wednesday means the Blue Rocks are second-half champions.

Jose Duarte went 2-for-3, logging his team-leading 41st multi-hit game of the season.

With another error-free game on Wednesday, the Blue Rocks have tied a season-high by not committing a miscue in their sixth straight game. The previous mark was set between July 27 and August 1.

Wilmington is 49-20 when scoring first.

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