CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Three-Run Shot Leads Charge in 7-5 Triumph

Published on July 8, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Lynchburg, VA - Jamar Walton ended the Blue Rocks' season-long drought of dingers at 11 games with a three-run homer in a 7-5 win at Lynchburg's City Stadium on Wednesday night. The victory's run total matched Wilmington's output over its previous five games combined and coincided with the return of Clint Robinson to the starting lineup. Starter Alex Caldera (2-7), who entered with losses in five straight starts, picked up his first win since May 30 and closer Juan Abreu earned redemption for his loss the night prior with a perfect ninth inning for his 10th save in as many tries. The Blue Rocks improved to 43-38 on the year and 5-7 in second-half play.

Wilmington owned a 6-1 lead after three innings of play. The first three batters reached and scored in the second. Ryan Eigsti, Adrian Ortiz and Derrick Robinson collected the RBIs. In the third, Walton's blast to right came with two on and two out for the five-run advantage.

Lynchburg scratched out a run in the fourth on a two-out hit from Kris Watts and Alex Presley notched his second home run of the year with a two-out liner to right in the fifth.

Caldera departed after six innings. He allowed four runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts and a hit batter. Ray Liotta began the seventh but departed with one out, men at the corners and a run in on a Presley infield hit. Brandon Sisk delivered a clutch relief appearance, stranding both inherited men with a pop out to second from Jordy Mercer and a line out to right off the bat of Matt Hague.

Sisk fired a perfect eighth and Paulo Orlando doubled in an insurance run in the ninth before Abreu struck out two in a 1-2-3 bottom half of the inning to finish it off.

Lynchburg starter Bryan Morris (2-3) took the loss, his second in as many starts against the Blue Rocks. The former Dodgers' first-round pick allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks over three innings. He failed to record a strikeout.

The three-game series concludes with a Thursday rubber match at 7:05 p.m. Wilmington right-hander Mario Santiago (3-9, 4.20) will oppose southpaw Justin Wilson (3-5, 6.75).

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Carolina League Stories from July 8, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central