CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Salem Takes Both Games Courtesy of Unrelenting Offensive Effort

Published on April 22, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - It was a frustrating night for the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Wednesday, as they dropped a pair of games to the Salem Red Sox, costing themselves both the three-game series and a winning homestand.

The Rocks dropped game one 11-4, and the nightcap 6-4.

The opener was a suspended game continued from Tuesday night. Rain halted play with Salem leading 5-1, and runners at the corners for the Sox, with one out in the fourth inning.

The Red Sox wasted little time adding to their lead courtesy of an RBI double by Aaron Reza. Salem would add three more in the sixth, this time thanks to a three-run homer by Chih-Hsien Chiang.

With the game blown open, the Rocks had little chance to win, but they did register a few offensive highlights before going down.

Alabama native Clint Robinson hit the first two home runs of his Advanced-A career. The first actually came on Tuesday, as it was a solo shot in the second inning before the rain. The second came again with no one on, this time in the fifth frame. Anthony Seratelli also went deep, as he lifted a two-run shot into the bullpen in left, to cap the scoring.

Ray Liotta took his first loss of the season for the Rocks. The southpaw, who pitched three-plus innings Tuesday night, closed his line allowing seven runs (only five of which were earned) on six hits and walking two.

Robinson continued his hot hitting in game two. Batting from the number seven hole in the line-up, he led off the second inning with a solo shot to right. He would finish the two games 3-for-7 with three dingers and three RBIs.

Robinson's blast brought the Rocks to within 3-2. The Sox had gotten a lead courtesy of three runs in the second inning.

With the bases loaded and no outs, former Blue Rock Zak Farkes walked, to plate run number one. Two outs later, Che-Hsuan Lin singled, scoring two more.

Wilmington tied the game in third inning. After Mike Moustakas singled with one out, Jeff Bianchi worked a full count. The shortstop struck out on the payoff pitch, but Moustakas stole second base.

The big man should have been out, as the throw beat him to the bag by several feet, but he somehow managed to avoid the tag of shortstop Kristopher Negron. With the frame still alive and a runner in scoring position, David Lough came through with an RBI single to left, evening the score.

It would be the high-water mark for the Rocks on the night though, as Salem regained the lead in the sixth inning. Reliever Chris Chavez allowed a lead-off single to Chiang. After Mike Jones' groundout advanced Chiang to second, he was removed for pinch-runner Matt Sheely. Will Vazquez then roped a double to center, plating Sheely, and putting Salem ahead for good.

In the seventh, Lin singled to open the frame. After he advanced to second on a wild pitch, Chavez intentionally walked Ryan Kalish. A fly out moved Lin to third, while Kalish immediately thereafter stole second.

That put two men in scoring position when Sheely hit a little dribbler toward second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Giavotella charged the ball hard, fielded it cleanly, and almost made a miraculous play to retire the batter. But his throw short-hopped away from Robinson, allowing both runners to score, and giving Salem the insurance it needed.

The Rocks put the tying run at the plate in the home seventh, but Robinson could not come through again, popping out to end the game.

Chavez suffered his first loss of the season for the Blue Crew, allowing three runs in two innings of work. While starter Mario Santiago pitched well for the Rocks, surrendering only three runs on five hits in five solid frames.

Wilmington returns to action on Thursday, as it travel to Winston-Salem to open a four-game set with the Dash. Everett Teaford (1-0, 1.94) takes the hill for the Rocks at 7:00 p.m.

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Carolina League Stories from April 22, 2009


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