Wilmington Sweeps Doubleheader at Potomac
Published on July 5, 2019 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release
Woodbridge, VA - The duo of starting pitchers Jonathan Bowlan and Austin Cox combined to hold the Potomac Nationals to just two runs over 11 innings as the Wilmington Blue Rocks swept a doubleheader at Pfitzner Stadium on Friday. The Blue Crew won game one 6-2 and took the nightcap 2-1. The victory ended the Rocks' brief two-game skid and moved them back to a season-high-tying 21 games over .500 on the season.
Wilmington took care of business in the opener thanks to a big game from Brewer Hicklen. The prospect outfielder launched a two-run homer in the third inning and then added an RBI-triple in the fourth. Sebastian Rivero also drove in a run on a sacrifice fly and later scored when Blake Perkins reached on a throwing error. Cristian Perez capped the scoring for the Rocks with a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh.
It was more than enough support for Bowlan. The righty yielded just two runs on five hits over six sterling frames to pick up the win. Potomac got its runs on a wild pitch in the fifth and a solo homer from Omar Meregildo in the sixth. Bowlan retired the side in order three times.
Josh Dye wrapped things up with a scoreless seventh and final inning in a non-save situation.
In game two it was Cox who sparkled, facing the minimum in three different frames and allowing just two runners to reach scoring position. He tossed five scoreless frames yielding just three hits and two walks.
Wilmington went ahead with two runs in the second inning. The frame began with back-to-back doubles from Dennicher Carrasco and MJ Melendez. Nick Pratto followed with an RBI-single and it was 2-0 Blue Crew.
Tad Ratliff allowed a run in the final frame, but stranded the potential tying-run in scoring position to earn his Carolina League-leading 17th save of the season.
The Rocks continue their six-game road trip on Saturday as they wrap up their series at Potomac. Rito Lugo hits the hill for Wilmington and first pitch is slated for 6:05 p.m. Tickets are available at BlueRocks.com and fans who don't make it to the ballpark can catch all of the action with the Voice of the Blue Rocks, Cory Nidoh, on 89.7 WGLS-FM.
PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:
It's been quite a start to the Advanced-A career of Wilmington pitcher Jonathan Bowlan. He has turned in three quality starts and earned three wins in his three appearances as a Blue Rock. Bowlan began the year at Low-A Lexington where he went 6-2 with a 3.36 ERA before earning a mid-June promotion. Bowlan was the fifth pitcher selected by Kansas City in the 2018 Draft. He'd probably prefer it described as the Royals' second round choice the 58th overall selection of the draft. All five of those pitchers taken early in the '18 draft have spent time as a Blue Rock this year.
The Blue Crew are in the midst of one of the strangest stretches they've encountered on a schedule in recent memory. Wilmington is playing back-to-back home-and-homes. The Rocks hosted Potomac for three and are now visiting Potomac for a three-game series. After that they play three at Salem before welcoming the Red Sox to Frawley Stadium for three more. Adding an extra layer of oddity to the two-week span is that the Rocks and Sox will play a day-night doubleheader on July 8. Game one will begin at 11 a.m. and the nightcap is not slated until 6 p.m. Wilmington is 3-2 during this stretch of 12 games versus two teams.
Wilmington has traveled exceedingly well in 2019. The Rocks improved to 30-15 in away games this season, the second-best road record in the Carolina League. In fact, the Blue Crew does not have a losing record in any ballpark this season. They are above .500 in seven ballparks (including Frawley Stadium) and are at .500 in Frederick and Fayetteville. Wilmington has still yet to make its first trip to Down East this year. One of the reasons for the road success has been the Rocks' ability to hit for power. They have hit 31 of their 36 home runs in 2019 away from the friendly confines of Frawley Stadium.
Carolina League Stories from July 5, 2019
- Taugner Tosses Complete Game Shutout; Both Aguilar & Lutz Homer in Twin-Bill Sweep - Carolina Mudcats
- Pitching Dominant Once Again as Fayetteville Wins Series in Winston-Salem - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
- Mudcats Sweep Doubeleheader - Frederick Keys
- Dash Fall 3-1 against Woodpeckers on Friday - Winston-Salem Dash
- P-Nats Swept in Doubleheader by Wilmington - Potomac Nationals
- Lynchburg Snaps Pelicans' Winning Streak Behind Walk-Off Single - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Wilmington Sweeps Doubleheader at Potomac - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Benson Hits Walk-Off Single as Hillcats Storm to Victory - Hill City Howlers
- Wood Ducks Fall To Red Sox In Rain-Shortened Contest - Down East Wood Ducks
- Winston-Salem Dash: Game Notes (July 5 vs. Fayetteville) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans Game Notes: July 5 at Lynchburg - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- July 5 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
- July 5 Game Information - Down East Wood Ducks
- Hillcats Apologize for Lackluster Fireworks Show on July 4 - Hill City Howlers
- RHP Jake Elliott transferred from Double-A Birmingham to Winston-Salem - Winston-Salem Dash
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