CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks Touched Up in Tough One, Lose 16-11 in Ten Innings

Published on June 4, 2016 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE- The Wilmington Blue Rocks (19-33) had the Northern Division leading Lynchburg Hillcats (35-19) on the ropes and were leading 10-9 with one out in the top of the ninth inning, but a Bobby Bradley solo home run tied the game and the Hillcats went on to win 16-11 in ten innings. The Blue Crew is now 2-4 in extra frames this season, but Humberto Arteaga gave the fans something to remember, becoming only the 14th Blue Rock in history to collect five hits in a single game as Elier Hernandez drove in four in the tough loss.

In the wildest game at Frawley Stadium this season, the Rocks and Hillcats combined for 27 runs. Lynchburg led by scores of 1-0 and 6-3, but Wilmington came back to storm ahead with four runs in third for an 8-6 advantage. They led also led 10-7 after scoring two runs in the sixth inning, but the Hillcats grabbed two in the seventh and tied the game in the ninth on the home run by Bradley.

It was a back and forth game that had an air of craziness from the beginning. After a solo shot by Claudio Bautisto opened up the scoring in the top of the first inning, Elier Hernandez drove in three runs in the bottom of the frame with a bases clearing triple, even though Austin Bailey was at the plate to begin the at bat. Bailey actually came to the plate as the number five batter and took a strike. The problem though was Hernandez was listed as the fifth batter in the lineup. Bailey and Hernandez were batting out of order and the discrepancy was noticed after the first pitch to Bailey. However, because no out or plate appearance had been made official when the error was brought to the attention of the umpiring crew, the Rocks were able to get the right man to the box and Hernandez made it count by clearing the bases with a triple.

Lynchburg responded with five in the second off of starter Foster Griffin who went just 1.1 innings pitched, mostly due to his inability to throw strikes on a night where he walked five. With the Hillcats up 6-4, an Arteaga single made it a 6-5 game before the Blue Crew tallied four in the third. Chad Johnson ripped a double into the right-centerfield gap to turn the 6-5 deficit into a 7-6 lead and Alfredo Escalera joined the party with an RBI single for an 8-6 score. Johnson completed his journey around the bases in the next at bat as a wild pitch allowed him to cross home.

The visitors made it 8-7 in the fifth on a wild pitch by the Rocks, but the home squad extended the lead once again in the sixth. Wander Franco hit a sacrifice fly in the frame and Hernandez came through with another extra base knock, this time a double to make it 10-7. However, Sicnarf Loopstok hit a two run blast in the seventh and the game went to extras thanks to Bradley. Lynchurg showed their offensive prowess in the extra frame, sending nine men to the plate and scoring six runs. Wilmington came back in the bottom of the tenth and scored a run on a Franco double, but that was all as they dropped the rubber match 16-11.

The game was the longest of the season for the Blue Rocks and it was the most runs allowed at any point this year. Cameron Hill got the win for the Hillcats and improved to 3-0 while Jacob Bodner blew the save in the ninth and lost his first decision as a Blue Rock to drop to 0-1. The Blue Crew heads to Winston-Salem for the first time this season and RHP Zach Lovvorn (0-6, 3.86) will take on RHP Jordan Stephens (1-6, 4.94). Those interested in listening to the game can tune in to WGLS-FM 89.7 or go to BlueRocks.com for all the game action.

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Carolina League Stories from June 4, 2016


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