CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks' three-game win streak snapped

Published on June 30, 2006 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE --- The Wilmington Blue Rocks (35-35, 5-2) fell behind early on Friday night and could not recover in a 3-2 loss to the Lynchburg Hillcats (34-36, 2-5), Carolina League affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Blue Rocks had their three game winning streak snapped and starter Tommy Hottovy lost for the first time in four outings.

The Hillcats led 2-1 heading into the ninth inning but scored an insurance run on a solo homer from Brad Correll to push the lead to 3-1. Correll led off the ninth connecting for his fifth homer of the year to left-center field off reliever Jason Richardson.

Hottovy (7-6) pitched well enough for a win but took the loss working seven innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits. Hottovy also struck out six and did not walk a batter.

The Blue Rocks tried to rally in the ninth off reliever Chad Blackwell. Blackwell retired nine batters in a row before allowing a two out walk to Claudio Arias in the ninth inning. Andrew Pinckney came up next and swung at the first pitch he saw for a base hit to right to put runners at the corners. John Otness then reached on a fielder choice allowing Arias to score from third to cut the lead to 3-2. Shortstop Brent Lillibridge could not handle the grounder from Otness and the error made everyone safe.

That's all Wilmington would get in the frame though. After Scott White was hit by a pitch to load the bases Mickey Hall flew out to center to end the game and the threat.

The Blue Rocks trailed 2-0 after five innings and did not get a hit for the first 5.2 innings. Hillcats starter Kyle Bloom allowed a two out ground rule double to Jed Lowrie in the sixth that ended the no-hit bid. Blackwell came into the game after the double by Lowrie and was greeted with a two-out RBI single to right from Jeff Natale for the Blue Rocks first run of the game.

Lynchburg took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning with the help of a hit batter and an error. Mike Carlin began the inning reaching first after being hit by a pitch. Carlin then moved up to third after being picked off by Hottovy on a stolen base attempt. On the play Blue Rocks first baseman Scott White threw the ball low at second and into left field allowing Carlin to move up to third on the error. Steven Pearce followed up with an RBI single scoring Carlin to give the Hillcats the early lead.

The Hillcats added a second run in the fifth inning on a wild pitch. Back-to-back one out singles put runners on the corners. Justin Harris scored from third on a wild pitch from Hottovy for a 2-0 Hillcats lead.

Richardson worked two innings in relief allowing one run on three hits while walking one and striking out one.

The Blue Rocks and Hillcats wrap up their three game series on Saturday night. The Blue Rocks will send right-hander Matt Goodson (0-4, 4.60) to the mound while the Hillcats will counter with right-hander Matt Guillory (4-3, 6.81). Game time is at 6:05 p.m.

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Carolina League Stories from June 30, 2006


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