CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Wilmington Cannot Escape Early Hole at Down East

July 26, 2019 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Kinston, NC - A three-run first inning by the Down East Wood Ducks was too much to overcome for the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Friday as they dropped a 5-2 decision at Grainger Stadium. Blake Perkins had three hits for the Blue Crew, which have dropped four of their last five on the road.

Wilmington starter Jonathan Bowlan got a rude greeting from the Woodies. The right-hander allowed an RBI-single to right by Curtis Terry and then a two-run double off the left field fence to Juan Pablo Martinez. Down East tacked on single tallies in the third and fourth. Martinez singled in Terry and then Bubba Thompson's bloop-hit plated Tyler Depreta-Johnson.

Bowlan lasted four frames and picked up his second straight loss since tossing the second no-hitter in franchise history on July 15. The right-hander yielded five runs on eight hits. He fanned three and walked one.

Rito Lugo and Austin Lamborn tried to keep the Rocks in the game. Thue duo combined to whiff six and toss four scoreless frames out of the Blue Crew bullpen.

Unfortunately for Wilmington, the offense just could not climb its way up that early hill. The Rocks got just four at bats all night with runners in scoring position and managed only two hits. Their runs came courtesy of Perkins' single in the third and a Down East wild pitch in the eighth.

Scott Engler allowed just one hit and nary a run over three innings to get the win in relief for Down East. Cole Uliva struck out the side in the ninth to pick up his third save.

The Rocks continue their three-game series with the Wood Ducks on Saturday at 6 p.m. Fans can catch all of the action with the Voice of the Blue Rocks, Cory Nidoh, on 89.7 WGLS-FM.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

Four has been the magic number for the Blue Rocks in 2019. When Wilmington scores four or more runs the team is 38-6, but when the offense produces three tallies or fewer they are just 24-36.

The Rocks made their first trip to Grainger Stadium all season on Friday. The loss meant the Blue Crew have a losing record in two Carolina League ballparks this season. At the home of the Wood Ducks and Salem. Overall Wilmington has traveled exceedingly well in 2019. The Rocks are 33-22 in away games this season, the second-best road record in the 10-team loop. One of the reasons for the road success has been the Rocks' ability to hit for power. They have hit 39 of their 7 home runs in 2019 away from the friendly confines of Frawley Stadium. Wilmington has not exactly been bad at home however, sporting a 29-20 mark in the First State.

Check out the Wilmington Blue Rocks Statistics



Carolina League Stories from July 26, 2019


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