CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Rocks win fourth straight and sweep K-Tribe

Published on May 15, 2003 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Kinston, NC--- The Wilmington Blue Rocks completed their first four-game series sweep over the Kinston Indians at Grainger Stadium since 1994 with a 6-2 rain-soaked win on Thursday night. The Blue Rocks, who have won a season-high six in a row away from Frawley Stadium and four in a row overall, are 11 games above .500 for the first time this season.

The Rocks also picked up a half game over second-place Lynchburg because the Hillcats were washed out on Thursday evening in Winston-Salem.

Ruben Gotay got Wilmington off on the right foot with his third home run of the season in the first inning, a solo shot with two outs against losing pitcher Victor Kleine (2-4). It was the first home run of the season for Gotay from the right side of the plate.

Wilmington added to their lead in the fourth inning with four runs against Kleine. Trey Dyson drove in a run with a two-out single and Scott Walter scored on an infield pop up that fell in behind the mound when Ivan Ochoa and Bill Peavey collided.

Tony Arnerich followed and drove in two runs with a double, driving in two and capping off the scoring in the inning and giving the Rocks a 5-0 advantage.

Kleine, in his second start of the season against Wilmington, exited after four innings. He allowed five runs, two earned, on six hits. He walked two and fanned three.

In the fifth, the game was delayed by rain with Wilmington threatening against reliever Nate Fernley. Darren Fenster walked and Ruben Gotay smashed a single into right field, putting runners at first and second.

Play resumed after an hour and twelve-minute rain delay. Fernley retired the final two batters in the fifth inning, stranding two runners on base for the Blue Rocks.

Middleton did not return to the pitchers mound and did not go the required five innings to qualify for the win. Although he left with a 5-0 lead, he picked up his second straight no-decision.

Billy Keppinger (1-0) entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning and worked a scoreless frame.

Kinston dented the scoreboard against Keppinger in the sixth inning. Pat Osborn drove in the first run of the inning with a sacrifice fly and Bill Peavey drove in the second run with an infield hit.

Wilmington added a run in the seventh inning against Fernley on a run-scoring single by Darren Fenster.

Keppinger, who picked up the win, gave way to Eduardo Villacis in the seventh inning. Villacis, who picked up a win and a loss this past weekend at home against Myrtle Beach, finished up by working the final three innings and picking up his first save of the 2003 campaign. The Blue Rocks travel to Myrtle Beach to begin a three-game series with the Pelicans on Friday night at 6:05 p.m. Chris Tierney (2-3, 3.82) takes the hill in the opener for the Blue Rocks. The Pelicans, who split a four-game series in Wilmington last weekend, counter with Zach Miner (2-2, 3.16). The Rocks and Pelicans play day games on Saturday and Sunday at 2:05 p.m.

Myrtle Beach was rained out in Potomac on Thursday night and enter Friday's action with six straight wins.

Game Notes:

The Rocks improved to 13-7 away from home this season with Thursday night's victory.

The Blue Rocks collected 10 hits in the win and every starter except Chris Fallon had at least one hit.

Ruben Gotay, who entered the game in a 6-for-40 slump, went 3-for-3 with a home run, two singles and a walk in the win.

Trey Dyson drove in a run with a single in the fourth inning and has hit safely in five in a row.

Scott Walter went 1-for-4 and has hit safely in a season-high six straight.

The series sweep was the third of the season for Wilmington and the first on the road.

The Rocks are 5-2 in seven games against the K-Tribe.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics

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Carolina League Stories from May 15, 2003


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