CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Santiago Sizzles, Moustakas Mashes to Equalize Series

Published on July 25, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Kinston, NC - One could phrase it unexpected, at least given the circumstances. With two outs and the bases clear in the seventh inning of a scoreless game, few could have anticipated the Blue Rocks' clutch efforts. But a Wilmington (52-45, 14-14) team that had struck out 11 times against since departed Kinston starter Eric Berger connected on five consecutive two-out hits versus reliever Jonathan Holt (1-5) in posting a four-run frame. That rare run support in combination with a quality start meant a win for Mario Santiago (5-11) as the Blue Rocks evened the three-game series at a game apiece with a 4-3 defeat of the Indians on Saturday night. Mike Moustakas connected on a clutch two-run double for some key insurance runs and Brandon Sisk picked up his 10th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

Paulo Orlando began the two-out hit parade with a ripped single past first. Ryan Eigsti followed with a base hit to short and Anthony Seratelli blooped in a run with a flare to shallow left-center. Johnny Giavotella drove in a second score with a scorcher through the left-side hole and Moustakas added window dressing that proved pivotal when he doubled in two runs with a shot to left-center. He entered the at-bat in a 1-for-43 slump.

Kinston responded, however, placing its own crooked number on the board in the bottom half of the frame in chasing Santiago. A bunt hit and a hit batter sandwiched a strikeout and prompted a move to reliever Chris Chavez. Ryan Blair grounded out but a walk to Lucas Montero followed and loaded the bases. Entering the game, opponents had been 0-for-7 against Chavez with the bases full and he had not allowed any of his seven inherited runners to score. Both changed when Cord Phelps singled in a run to right and Lonnie Chisenhall knocked in another two with a single to left-center for a 4-3 score.

The damage stopped there, although admittedly in an odd manner. Ole Sheldon struck out but Eigsti dropped the ball. As Sheldon stumbled his burly frame toward first, Phelps dashed for the dish. Eigsti lunged at Phelps and tagged him out a step before the plate to end the inning and maintain the team's one-run advantage.

Chavez induced three groundball outs in a 1-2-3 eighth before giving way to Brandon Sisk at the start of the ninth. Wilmington's closer walked a couple of men before facing Chisenhall, an All-Star and Kinston's leader in homers and RBIs. The hard-throwing lefty jumped ahead in the count 0-2 and worked a grounder for a force at second to bolt down the save.

Each side's starting pitcher looked splendid. Santiago allowed just two runs on six hits over 6.1 innings. He walked two and tied a personal season-high with seven strikeouts. Berger whiffed 11 men over six scoreless innings and surrendered just three hits and two walks. He struck out two men in each of the first five frames and ended each inning with a whiff. The Blue Rocks had a tough time adjusting to his superior off-speed stuff and timely, well-located fastballs.

The three-game weekend set concludes with a Sunday afternoon rubber match at 2:00 p.m. Southpaw Michael Montgomery will make his Blue Rocks debut. The 36th overall selection in the 2008 draft ranks as the Royals' third-ranked prospect according to Baseball America. The 20-year-old went 2-3 with a 2.17 ERA at Low-A Burlington. Kinston will send right-hander Alexander Perez (1-1, 1.42) against him. The Blue Rocks have won six of their last seven rubber matches and eight of their last 10.

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Carolina League Stories from July 25, 2009


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