CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Wilmington Blue Rocks Game Notes

Published on June 13, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


LOSING STREAK SNAPPED: Kyle Zimmer (1-6) earned his first win of the season, and the Blue Rocks bats tallied 17 hits to defeat the Salem Red Sox 9-5 on Wednesday night at LewisGale Field. The victory was Wilmington's first since last Thursday against Carolina, and brought an end to the team's five-game losing streak. The Rocks made use of two big innings, scoring four runs in the second and three more in the ninth.

THE BATS WAKE UP: For the sixth straight game, Wilmington allowed its opposition to grab the lead first. However, the Rocks countered in the second inning. Red Sox starter Kyle Kraus (1-1) walked the leadoff man Cheslor Cuthbert, who moved to second on a single by Jared Schlehuber before a second base-hit by Geulin Beltre loaded the bases. Looking to make up for an earlier defensive miscue, Parker Morin drove in Cuthbert with a single to left, while a wild pitch gave the visitors a 2-1 lead. Later, Alex Hudak drove in Beltre and Morin to put the capper on a four-run inning.

WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER: It took 13 starts, but Kyle Zimmer picked up his first win at the Advanced-A level. The victory was also his first since August 18, 2012, when he was pitching for Low-A Kane County. Finishing one out short of his sea- son-high for innings pitched, the right-hander also snapped a two-start losing streak. Thursday served as a bounce back outing for the ace, as it followed the shortest start of his professional career. Last Friday against Winston-Salem, Zimmer did not make it through the first inning, recording only two outs, while yielding five runs in the process.

PARKER PRODUCES: Wilmington's bats exploded for 17 hits, one short of its team- high in 2013, and the team's most in a game since May 11 against Frederick. Ten of those hits came over two innings, with the Blue Crew tallying four runs on five hits in the second and three runs on five hits in the ninth. Individually, Parker Morin led the way, posting career-highs in hits (four) and RBIs (three). Prior to Wednesday's perfor- mance, Morin was mired in a 5-for-54 slump at the plate.

LET'S GO STREAKING: Thanks to a single in the ninth inning, Jack Lopez extend- ed his hitting streak to 11 games. That is the longest streak by a member of the Blue Rocks in 2013, and is among the longest by a Carolina League player this season. Over the streak, Lopez is hitting .311 (14-for-45) with a triple, double, five RBIs and five runs scored. During that time, his batting average has also climbed from .187 to .211.

ROUGH ROAD TRIP FOR THE ROCKS: Wednesday's victory wrapped up a tough roadtrip for the Blue Crew. In six games against Winston-Salem and Salem, Wilmington went a combined 1-5. Meanwhile, Tuesday's loss saw the Blue Rocks mathematically eliminated from the first-half Northern Division playoff race. Over the roadtrip, the team was outscored 37-16, including a combined 18-0 in the first inning of the six contests. At the heart of the struggles was starting pitching. Twice during the roadtrip, a starter did not make it out of the first inning while all five members of the rotation suffered one loss. In the last six games, Wilmington starters have combined to register an 11.33 ERA. The Blue Rocks did not hold many leads during the roadtrip. Until Wilmington took the lead in the top of the second on Wednesday, the club had trailed for 43 of 45 innings against Salem and Winston-Salem. Against the Dash, Wilmington never held a lead over three games, and trailed for 26 of the 27 innings. Versus the Red Sox, the Rocks were behind for 17 of the first 18 innings before Wednesday night's finale

ROSTER SHIFTS...: The Rocks' roster underwent a facelift after the game on Wednesday. Infielder Cheslor Cuthbert and left-handed reliever Scott Alexander were promoted to Double-A Northwest Arkansas, outfielder Alex Hudak was sent to Low-A Lexington and left-handed reliever Antonio Cruz was transferred to Rookie-Idaho Falls. In their places, Wilmington received outfielder Ethan Chapman and right-handed reliever Daniel Hernandez from Low-A Lexington, first baseman Dennis Raben from the independent Lincoln Saltdogs and utility infielder Alex McClure from Double-A Northwest Arkansas. McClure is beginning his third tour of duty in Wilmington and Hernandez is back on the Riverfront for the second time this season.

Tonight's Probable Starters

WIL: LHP John Lamb (4-6, 5.37) vs. W-S: RHP Jake Cose (1-1, 5.73)

John Lamb was on the fast track to the big leagues before he was derailed by Tommy John surgery in June of 2011. Lamb missed the rest of that season as well as most of the 2012 campaign. He appeared in just six games, splitting time between the Surprise Royals and Idaho Falls last year. Despite the injury, Lamb is still rated the No. 11 prospect in the Kansas City system by Baseball America. His changeup makes scouts drool, and his velocity, which was clocked consistently between 90-95 MPH before the injury, is beginning to return. Lamb was incredible during his brief stint in Wilmington in 2010. The Laguna Hills CA native went 6-3 with a 1.45 ERA in 13 starts with the Rocks. Lamb fanned 90 and walked ony 15 in 74.2IP that season. After tossing 14 straight scoreless innings in his final two starts of May, the lefty has endured a rocky start to June. In two starts, Lamb has allowed 11 runs (10 earned) on 17 hits in only nine innings pitched. He has lost both of those starts. His nine homers allowed this season are the most on the team.

Jake Cose: Jake Cose makes his third Advanced-A start and his second against the Blue Rocks on Thursday. After struggling in his debut, the righty picked up his first win with the Dash on Saturday, tossing six innings and allowing three runs on four hits while strik- ing out five. Prior to joining Winston-Salem on May 30, Cose was one of the top arms in the South Atlantic League. In 10 starts with Low-A Kannapolis, Cose went 4-3 and led the league with a 1.72 ERA. Meanwhile, at the time of his promotion, he owned the ninth best ERA in minor league baseball. Currently in his third profes- sional season, Cose made all but one start with the Appalachian League's Bristol White Sox in 2012. In 12 starts he posted a 3-6 record and a 4.38 ERA. A native of Stockton, CA, Cose was drafted by Chicago in the 27th round out of San Joaquin Delta Junior College. A corner infielder initially, Cose turned to pitching when a coach clocked him throwing 94 mph. He sits in the low-mid 90s with his fastball, as well as a slurve and a changeup.

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