CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Wilmington Blanked to Open the Second Half

Published on June 25, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks just cannot beat the Potomac Nationals. The Blue Crew fell to Potomac on Thursday for the 17th time in the teams' last 22 meetings, dropping a 6-0 decision at Frawley Stadium.

Wilmington starter Alex Caldera lost for the second time in his last three starts. The right-hander allowed three runs on six hits over 4.1 frames.

It did not start badly for Caldera (1-6), as he retired the first nine batters he faced, and worked his way around a lead-off double in the fourth.

But seemingly out of nowhere, things fell apart in the top of the fifth.

The inning began innocently enough, as Chris Marrero singled into center field. He then advanced into scoring position on a Caldera wild pitch. One out later, Stephen King walked and Devin Ivany singled to load the bases. That brought up Dan Nelson, who laced a line drive hit into right field which plated Marrero and King. Boomer Whiting followed with a bunt single up the first base line that scored Ivany and put the P-Nats in front 3-0. After Caldera reloaded the bases, manager Brian Rupp pulled the plug on his night.

He inserted reliever Jason Godin, who escaped further damage by striking out Danny Espinosa and getting Michael Burgess to hit a soft grounder to second.

But Godin's fifth inning heroics were quickly overshadowed by his struggles in the sixth. The right-hander allowed two runs on an Ivany RBI double and a run-scoring single by Nelson.

It was Nelson who capped the scoring with a solo dinger in the ninth. He finished the night 3-for-4 with a run and four RBIs.

Meanwhile, the Rocks had no answer offensively. Potomac starter Will Atwood continued his dominance of the Blue Crew in 2009. The Potomac southpaw now has an ERA of 1.50 in four starts against Wilmington this year.

On Thursday, Atwood (3-5) tossed seven scoreless innings. He allowed only four hits, and struck out five without walking anyone.

Potomac relievers Jesse Estrada and Martin Beno closed things out as the P-Nats flummoxed Wilmington yet again. The Blue Crew finished the night with just six hits.

Wilmington seeks revenge on Friday, as the teams face each other again at 7:05 p.m. Danny Duffy (6-2, 2.85) makes the start for Wilmington. He will be opposed by Potomac's Tom Milone (3-2, 3.48). The first 1,250 adults will receive Aussie Bush Caps courtesy of Sailor Jerry.

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Carolina League Stories from June 25, 2009


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