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CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Testa's Blast Carries Wilmington To Win

August 8, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - Carlo Testa blasted a two-run homer in the first inning and then Justin Marks and the Wilmington Blue Rocks' bullpen made it hold up as the Blue Crew beat the Winston-Salem Dash, 3-1, on Monday at Frawley Stadium.

Testa wasted little time giving the Rocks an early two-run lead. After Whit Merrifield worked a patient at-bat that ended in a full-count single to left, Testa sent the second pitch he saw from Dash starter Jake Petricka (2-6) soaring well over the fence in right field.

Few expected a 2-0 lead after one inning to be enough to get Wilmington a win against one of the most powerful offenses in the league, but Marks (7-8) was on the mark on Monday. The left-hander fanned eight and allowed only three hits in 5.2 scoreless frames.

At one point he recorded six straight outs on strikes. Marks worked around a two-out single in the first and stranded a leadoff single at first an inning later. He recorded his only perfect frame by fanning a pair in the third and then struck out the side to strand two runners on in the fourth.

Wilmington added to its lead in the fifth. Nick Van Stratten's single with runners at the corners gave the Blue Crew a 3-0 edge. The Rocks had a chance to further extend the advantage when John Whittleman followed with a walk that loaded the bases, but Ryan Stovall grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Winston-Salem let a more crucial opportunity go by the wayside in the very next frame.

Marks began to show signs of fatigue in the sixth and was lifted from the game when he walked a pair with two down in the inning. Jonathan Keck came on out of the bullpen and promptly walked the first batter he faced to load the bases. Keck bounced back though, getting Mike Blanke to ground into a fielder's choice that retired the side.

Winston-Salem scored its only run in the seventh. Daniel Wagner doubled to the left-field corner and then came around to the plate on an infield single by Brady Shoemaker and a throwing-error by Stovall. Andy Wilkins followed with a single that brought the potential go-ahead run to the plate, but Keck escaped the jam with consecutive punchouts.

Keck worked one more scoreless frame before giving way to Bryan Paukovits, who picked up his fifth save by retiring the side in order in the ninth.

The Rocks continue this seven-game homestand with a 7:05 p.m. rematch with the Dash on Tuesday at Frawley Stadium. Tim Melville (8-7, 4.33) hits the hill for Wilmington against Winston-Salem right-hander Andre Rienzo (3-4, 3.72). Broadcast coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. as studio host Adam Dobrowolski brings fans the Rocks Report Pre-game Show, presented by Wawa, on 89.7 WGLS-FM and online at wgls.rowan.edu. For tickets call 302-888-BLUE or visit bluerocks.com.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

Carlo Testa's first-inning home run was only his third long ball of the season. The outfielder broke an 18-game, 75-at-bat homer drought with his bomb that easily cleared the fence in right. Testa continues to excel at Frawley Stadium. After going 2-for-4 on Monday he is now hitting .308 (41-for-133) with 20 RBIs in 36 games at home. Testa is batting just .220 (35-for-159) with nine RBIs in 43 games on the road.

Justin Marks has enjoyed plenty of success against the Winston-Salem Dash in 2011. In four starts this season against the Dash, Marks is 4-0 with a 2.82 ERA. The southpaw has 33 strikeouts and only eight walks in 22.1 frames of work against Winston-Salem. Each of Marks' last two outings have come against the Dash and he has allowed just two runs in 11 innings on his way to a pair of victories. The hurler had gone 0-2 with a 7.16 ERA in his three starts before that.

The seventh inning was notable not only because Wilmington reliever Jonathan Keck stranded two runners on base. The frame also featured a three-minute delay when sprinklers turned on in the infield. The odd occurrence came with two on, one out and an 0-2 count to slugger Ian Gac. Gac worked the count full and fouled off three pitches after play resumed before Keck finally regained his rhythm and struck the Carolina League's leading home run hitter out.

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