CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Wilmington Arms Lead the Way as Blue Crew Takes Two From Keys

July 18, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks recent dominance of the Frederick Keys continued on Saturday as the Blue Crew swept a doubleheader at Frawley Stadium. The Rocks won game one, 3-1, and took the nightcap, 5-0. For the season, Wilmington has now taken seven of 11 from the Keys, including five victories in the teams' past six encounters.

Danny Duffy led the Rocks to victory in the opener. Duffy (7-3) tossed a masterpiece, allowing only a single unearned run on three hits over seven innings. It was the left-hander's first complete game of his career (doubleheader games are only seven innings in duration), and it equaled his longest outing of the season.

Offensively, Wilmington got on the board right away. Derrick Robinson opened the bottom of the first with a bunt single and moved into scoring position by stealing second. Johnny Giavotella followed with a walk. Two batters later Clint Robinson also drew a free pass to load the bases for Paulo Orlando. Orlando got an RBI the hard way as he was hit by a pitch to bring home Derrick Robinson, and put the Rocks in front.

After Frederick answered with a score in the top of the third to tie the game, Wilmington put it away in the home fourth.

Chase Fonaine led off the inning with his first home run in a Blue Rocks uniform. His solo shot to right put the Blue Crew ahead to stay.

But to be safe, Wilmington added another run in the inning without getting a hit. Derrick Robinson reached on an error and again stole second. In a dejavu moment, both Giavotella and Clint Robinson drew walks to load the bases. The run came home on Orlando's RBI groundball to short.

Frederick pitcher Pedro Beato took the loss. Beato (5-6) surrendered three runs (two earned) on six hits over four frames. It was Beato's first loss against Wilmington in his sixth career battle with the Blue Crew.

In game two, the Rocks again jumped on Frederick with early offense. Wilmington hung a pair on the Keys in the opening inning thanks to a Derrick Robinson single and steal, a Mike Moustakas walk, a Clint Robinson RBI single, and a run-scoring double by Orlando.

In the third, the Blue Crew added three more tallies largely thanks to Frederick right fielder Billy Rowell. The South Jersey native misplayed a pair of fly balls in the frame. The first allowed Giavotella to reach base safely. After Clint Robinson and Orlando added singles, and Jamar Walton hit into an RBI fielder's choice, Rowell made his second, and most costly mistake of the night.

The outfielder initially broke in on Anthony Seratelli's deep fly ball to right. Once Rowell realized he made a mistake, he still misjudged how far the ball was carrying as he just jogged back after it. The result was it landed at the rim of the warning track and took one hop to reach the wall. Two runs came in to score, and Seratelli ended up at third with his third triple of the season.

That was more than enough offense for Wilmington starter Alex Caldera. Caldera (3-7) tossed six scoreless innings, yielding only four hits, and walking just one.

Conversely, Frederick hurler Nathan Nery took the loss. Nery (3-4) allowed five runs on nine hits over five frames of work.

Chris Chavez did not surrender a run in the seventh to preserve the Rocks' 10th shutout of the season.

Wilmington goes for the series sweep on Sunday at Frawley Stadium, as first pitch is slated for 1:35 p.m. Blue Rocks manager Brian Rupp will send Mario Santiago (4-10, 4.24) to the mound. Frederick will counter with Sean Gleason (1-3, 4.04). The first 1,000 kids will receive a Rubble Kick Ball, compliments of Ysmoke.org.

For tickets, call 302-888-BLUE (2583) or visit bluerocks.com.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics



Carolina League Stories from July 18, 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