CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Too Little, Too Late In Rubber Match

April 28, 2010 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Salem, VA - After being one hit and shut out through eight innings, the Wilmington Blue Rocks (9-11) rallied in the ninth. Eric Hosmer's team-leading 14th RBI on a sac fly made it 2-1, but after loading the bases the Blue Rocks would strike out twice in succession to leave the sacks full and fall in a rubber match to the Salem Red Sox (14-6), 2-1. Wilmington concluded its six-game road trip 3-3 and returns home for a seven-game homestand starting Friday night at 7:05. It will be a fireworks Friday at Frawley, courtesy of AAA Mid-Atlantic, and the Amazing Christopher will perform as the Blue Rocks conduct a tribute to the Village People.

A pair of right-hander pitchers named Alex dueled through the game's first five frames. Alex Wilson of Salem only allowed a two-out walk to Ryan Wood and an infield hit to Eddie Prasch over his five innings, striking out six. Wilmington's Alex Caldera struck out seven through five two-hit frames before running into trouble in the sixth.

The first three reached and scored with Will Middlebrooks' two-run double the key blow. Caldera would later depart with two men on base and two outs in favor of Patrick Keating. While the former Florida Gator walked the first batter he faced, he struck out former Blue Rock Luis Segovia to leave the bases loaded.

Still, down 2-0 the Blue Rocks had less success against reliever Mitch Herold (2-0) than they did against Wilson. Herold whiffed one over three perfect innings before Lance McClain began the ninth.

Juan Rivera started the southpaw with a welcoming infield hit to third. Patrick Norris followed with a bloop single to left and J.D. Alfaro, on the day he turned 22, got a gift. His sacrifice bunt moved the runners up, but second baseman covering at first Oscar Tejeda dropped Middlebrooks' throw from third to load the bases.

Hosmer skied a ball to right as River tagged and scored from third. Norris did the same in attempting to move second to third, and right fielder Mitch Dening made a mental mistake by overthrowing the cut-off man and firing toward third. That toss allowed Alfaro to tag and advance to second, putting a go-ahead run in scoring position with one out.

Jamie Romak worked a 3-1 count before a fourth ball was delivered intentionally out of the zone to load the bases. McClain buckled down though, whiffing Prasch and Wood in back-to-back at-bats thereafter to secure his second save in as many tries.

Caldera struck out eight over his 5.2 innings and only allowed two runs on five hits and four walks all told.

The Blue Rocks will return to Frawley Stadium on a mini two-game slide.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

The Blue Rocks went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position on the game and finished with three total hits.

A heavy wind whipped right-to-left most of the game. According to online readings, the winds gusted at up to 30 mph.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics



Carolina League Stories from April 28, 2010


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