CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Smith Picks Up First CL Win, Leads Blue Rocks Past Nats

Published on May 8, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


WILMINGTON, DE-Kyle Smith (1-1) carried a no-hitter into the fifth, and worked into the sixth inning for a third straight start, as the Blue Rocks defeated Potomac 4-1 on Tuesday night at Frawley Stadium. Facing the second-best offense in the Carolina League, the trio of Smith, Scott Alexander and Andrew Triggs allowed only two combined hits. That is a new season-best for Blue Rocks pitching, as the arms helped the Blue Rocks snap a two-game losing streak and pull within three games of .500 (14-17).

Smith got an early lead to work with after a defensive miscue by Potomac in the initial frame. A groundball by Daniel Mateo was mishandled on an in-between hop by Nats first baseman Kevin Keyes, putting a one-out base runner aboard. Mateo advanced to second on a single by Jorge Bonifacio, and eventually moved to third on a fielder's choice by Cheslor Cuthbert. With Lane Adams at the plate, Nats starter Blake Schwartz (2-1) then uncorked a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Blue Rocks.

In the third, Mateo struck again. On the first pitch, he roped a double to rightfield, and once again advanced on a single by Bonifacio. Mateo then scored on a groundball double play by Cuthbert, adding to the team's early cushion.

For a time, two runs seemed to be all that Smith would need. After a first inning walk to Cutter Dykstra, the righty set down 10 in a row, and carried a no-hitter into the fifth. However Smith would lose it against Adrian Nieto, who singled to lead off the stanza. Although Nieto would not score, the Nats would have a golden opportunity for runs in the sixth. Adrian Sanchez led off the inning with a single, and eventually moved to third on a pair of free passes to Billy Burns and Dykstra. Forced to face Potomac's clean-up man, Smith took Jason Martinson to a 3-2 count, before inducing a slow groundball to shortstop Jack Lopez which left the bags packed.

Potomac sliced the deficit in half in the seventh, following an error by Bonifacio in right, but Wilmington responded with a pair of its own in the home half. Armed with two men on base, Cuthbert doubled to left on a ball that just went off the mitt of Nationals left-fielder Caleb Ramsey. Now ahead by a pair, Adams added insurance one batter later, with a sac-fly to center to score Bonifacio. Ahead 4-1, Scott Alexander and Andrew Triggs closed the door, facing the minimum in the eighth and ninth.

Wilmington plays the middle game of its three-game series on Wednesday night. Left-hander Sam Selman (1-1, 5.57) makes the start for the home team, and will be opposed by fellow southpaw Robbie Ray (2-1, 1.85). Fans can listen to the broadcast on 89.7 WGLS-FM, or on Bluerocks.com. For ticket information call 302-888-BLUE or visit Bluerocks.com

Pebbles of Knowledge:

It took six starts, but Kyle Smith finally picked up his first Carolina League win. For the third straight outing, the right-hander tossed six innings, while he carried a no-hitter into the fifth, the second time in four days that a Wilmington starting pitcher has started or completed the fifth inning without allowing a hit (Kyle Zimmer carried a no-hitter into the sixth on Saturday). For Smith, the victory is his first since August 18, 2012, and the first for a right-handed starting pitcher in the Wilmington rotation this year. Prior to tonight, all three wins by Blue Rocks starters had come from southpaws (John Lamb, two) (Sam Selman, one).

Following a strong weekend of pitching, the Blue Rocks staff continued to dominate, allowing a season-low two hits. Both were singles, while Potomac did not record its first base knock until the top of the fifth. Coming into Tuesday, the previous season-low for hits allowed in a game was three, a feat which Wilmington accomplished five times (most recently on Saturday night against Lynchburg). Removing Sunday's game (where] the Hillcats pounded out 13 hits), the Blue Rocks staff has allowed a combined nine hits in three of its last four games.

Although he allowed an unearned run on Tuesday, Scott Alexander remained dominant against Carolina League hitters. Over his first eight innings in the CL, the southpaw has allowed only one hit, while opponents are hitting a miniscule .043 against him (1-for-23, 5K). Since joining the Wilmington roster on April 26, the California native has also worked multiple innings in all three of his appearences.

With Tuesday's win at home, Wilmington has now taken four straight games at Frawley Stadium (also a season-best). That streak stretches back to the club's last homestand, when the Blue Crew took three straight against Salem from May 1-3. Previously, the Blue Rocks longest home winning streak was three, a feat the club accomplished twice. Once against Salem, and earlier against Carolina (April 15-17).

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