Watson, Castellano Lead Rocks to Series Victory
Published on July 29, 2018 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release
Wilmington, DE- The Wilmington Blue Rocks (55-51/24-12) found a way to ignite the offense after only putting up one run in the previous two games against the Buies Creek Astros (59-47/22-15) with a 7-2 victory on Sunday afternoon at Frawley Stadium. Angelo Castellano led the offense with three RBI while Nolan Watson earned his fourth straight victory with five solid innings of work. Wilmington finished the six-game homestand with a 6-1 record and have won 12 of its last 14 games.
Trailing 2-1, the Blue Rocks regained the lead in the bottom of the third. With Blake Perkins on first, Brewer Hicklen roped an RBI double to right to score Perkins and advanced to third base on a fielding error by Astros' right fielder Bryan De La Cruz. Gabriel Cancel followed up with a sacrifice fly to left that was deep enough to bring Hicklen home and make it a 4-2 ballgame.
The Blue Rocks added some insurance in the bottom of the sixth. Singles by Meibrys Viloria and Vance Vizcaino put runners on first and second with two outs. Rudy Martin drew a full count walk to load the bases. Castellano smoked a deep double to center to score all three runners before Castellano was thrown out at third trying to stretch the triple. The bases clearing hit helped Wilmington put the game out of reach, 7-2.
Buies Creek scored the contest's first run in the top of the first. Jacob Meyers started the ballgame with a lead off double. After a Corey Julks fly out, J.J. Matijevic singled up the middle to score the runner and put the Astros ahead, 1-0.
Wilmington responded in the bottom of the first. Perkins walked to start the inning and then advanced to second on a wild pitch before reaching third on a Cancel ground out. Emmanuel Rivera poked an infield single to score Perkins and tie the game at 1-1. After a passed ball advanced Rivera to second, Meibrys Viloria lined a single to left to plate Rivera to put the Rocks out in front 2-1. The Astros tied the game in the top of the third. Julks drew a two-out walk and then stole second to put himself in scoring position. Matijevic hit another single through the gap at second to bring Julks home and knot the game up at 2-2.
The Blue Rocks return to action on Tuesday, July 31 when they travel down to Jim Perry Stadium to start the second half of the home-at-home series with the Buies Creek Astros with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Wilmington will give the start to righty Andres Sotillet (1-1, 4.41 ERA). The starter for Buies Creek is to be announced. Fans can listen to the game as Matt Janus and Cory Nidoh will have the call on 89.7 WGLS-FM.
PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:
The Blue Rocks earned their fourth straight series victory after taking two of three games against the Buies Creek Astros. The stretch started when the Rocks were on the road and won three of four at Lynchburg before sweeping the Frederick Keys to conclude a 6-1 road trip. Wilmington returned home and swept Salem in three games prior to closing out the homestand with a series win over the Astros to turn in a 5-1 record through the six games.
Nolan Watson turned in five strong innings and allowed just two earned runs to earn his fourth straight win. During those last four starts, Watson has allowed just seven earned runs in 26 innings of work for a 2.42 ERA. The righty has won his last four starts and has five innings or more in six of his first seven starts with Wilmington.
Outfielder Blake Perkins extended his on-base streak to 16 games with a three walks and scored twice in Sunday's victory. The switch-hitter is hitting .313 (15-for-48) during the stretch and has an on-base percentage north of .500 during the span. Perkins continued to add to his league-lead in walks (74) and runs scored (73).
Carolina League Stories from July 29, 2018
- Late Rally Falls Short as Hillcats Drop Series to Pelicans - Hill City Howlers
- Birds Take Series over Hillcats with 4-3 Win in Finale - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Late Rally Falls Short as Hillcats Drop Series to Pelicans - Hill City Howlers
- Wood Ducks Drop Doubleheader; Swept By Keys - Down East Wood Ducks
- Sox Douse Dash 5-2 Sunday Afternoon - Salem RidgeYaks
- Keys Win Marathon Doubleheader - Frederick Keys
- Red Sox Outlast Dash 5-2 in Series Finale - Winston-Salem Dash
- Mudcats Swept After 10-1 Loss in Potomac - Carolina Mudcats
- Watson, Castellano Lead Rocks to Series Victory - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Runs Aplenty as Potomac Wins 10-1 - Potomac Nationals
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Game Notes, July 29 vs. Lynchburg - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Feliciano Totals Career High Four Hits in 10-3 Loss - Carolina Mudcats
- LHP Justin Steele assigned to Myrtle Beach - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- LHP Justin Steele assigned to Myrtle Beach - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Winston-Salem Dash: Game Notes (july 29 At Salem) - Winston-Salem Dash
- July 29 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- Brewer's Promote Roegner - Carolina Mudcats
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.
