CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Two Three-Run Frames Provide Cushion For Win

Published on May 2, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - A night ago fireworks lit up the sky after the game at Frawley Stadium. On Saturday it was the Wilmington Blue Rocks offense which lit up the scoreboard, scoring double digit runs for just the third time this year, on their way to a 10-5 victory over the Winston-Salem Dash.

Clint Robinson and Jeff Bianchi each had huge nights at the plate to ignite the Wilmington offense. Robinson had three hits and a walk in four plate appearances. The first baseman also scored three times and drove in a pair of runs. Bianchi added two hits, two runs and a walk in his four times at the dish.

Wilmington jumped out to a six-run advantage thanks to a pair of three-run innings. The first outburst came in the home second. Bianchi led off the inning with a walk, and David Lough was then hit in the leg by a pitch. One out later Robinson stepped to the plate and delivered yet another run-scoring extra-base hit. This one was a two-run double into the left field corner. Robinson would score two batters later on a throwing error by shortstop Greg Paiml.

Then in the fourth, Jamar Walton began the inning with a single to right. One out later Robinson and Ryan Eigsti used consecutive hits to bring Walton home. Adrian Ortiz followed with an RBI single of his own which plated Robinson. Eigsti scored the frame's final run on a Johnny Giavotella ground out, and the Rocks had a 6-0 lead.

That was enough for starting pitcher Danny Duffy, who earned his third win of the season. Wilmington's Co-Pitcher of the Month in April did struggle with his control, issuing a career-high four walks, but he held Winston-Salem to just two runs on four hits in five-plus innings. The southpaw also struck out four.

The Dash made their only run at the Rocks in the sixth frame when they put four on the board. Duffy lasted only two batters in the inning, allowing both to reach. Kelvin Villa replaced Duffy, and allowed three run-scoring singles before getting out of the inning.

From there Villa settled down however, as the lefty allowed just one more score in his final three innings. His line finished with three runs (two earned) on six hits, with two strike outs in four innings. The effort was good enough for his first save of the season.

Wilmington put the game away in the home seventh. The Rocks put three runs on the board. The rally started with a one-out double by Bianchi. Walton followed with an RBI single.

After a Paulo Orlando strike out, back-to-back walks loaded the bases. That set the stage for Ortiz who drove in two more with a single to left, giving Wilmington a 9-4 advantage.

Each team would score a run in the eighth. Winston-Salem on a Kyle Shelton RBI double, and the Rocks thanks to Mike Moustakas' RBI ground out.

Starter Anthony Carter (2-2) took the loss for Winston-Salem. The right-hander surrendered six runs (five earned) on seven hits in only four innings.

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Carolina League Stories from May 2, 2009


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