Wilmington Takes Game One Win
Published on July 22, 2018 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release
Frederick, MD - The Wilmington Blue Rocks (48-50/17-11) managed to sneak in an 8-1 win in game one of what was supposed to be a doubleheader against the Frederick Keys (45-54/10-20) on Sunday afternoon, but Mother Nature struck again to rain out game two at Nymeo Field. Gabriel Cancel led the Rocks' offense, picking up two hits including double, scored a run, and drove in two runs. Gerson Garabito shined on the mound with a complete game to earn his fourth win of the season.
Wilmington wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first. With Blake Perkins on second, Cancel hit an RBI single through the gap up the middle to score Perkins and give the Blue Rocks the 1-0 lead. Emmanuel Rivera was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with only one out. Travis Jones grounded an RBI single of his own to score Cancel and double the lead to 2-0. After a Vance Vizcaino groundout, Nathan Esposito was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Rudy Martin drew a walk to score Rivera and extend the lead to 3-0. Angelo Castellano kept the inning going after he advanced on a fielding error by the Key's first baseman Wilson Garcia, Vizcaino scored to make it a 4-0 ballgame. Perkins and D.J. Burt drew back-to-back bases loaded walks to take a commanding 6-0 lead.
The Blue Rocks added another run in the top of the second. Esposito roped a sacrifice fly to center that was deep enough to score Rivera and put the game out of reach 7-0. Wilmington kept the scoring going in the top of the third. After a one out single by Burt, Cancel lined an RBI double to bring Burt home to make it 8-0. Frederick spoiled the shutout bid in the bottom of the third. With no runners on and two outs, Chris Clare slugged a solo home run to left for his fifth homer of the season and to put the Keys on the board 8-1.
The Keys couldn't get much done at the plate as Blue Rocks starter Garabito was dominant on the mound. The righty threw for seven full innings, giving up only five hits, one run and one walk while also striking out six batters in the winning effort.
The Blue Rocks and Keys will carry the double header on to Monday, July 23 with game one slated to start at 12:00 p.m. Right hander Nolan Watson (3-1, 4.50 ERA) will be on the mound for Wilmington. He will be opposed by fellow righty Lucas Humpal (3-8, 4.90 ERA) who will start for Frederick. Fans can tune into the games with Matt Janus on the call on 89.7 WGLS-FM.
PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:
With the complete game on Sunday afternoon, Gerson Garabito pitched for seven full innings for the fifth time this season. Overall, Wilmington has had 15 total outings where the starting pitcher went seven innings. The Blue Rocks hold an 8-7 record when the starter tosses for seven innings. Garabito also has been hitting a groove in the month of July. In each of his last five outings, the righty has allowed only two earned runs or less for an impressive 2.10 ERA.
Gabriel Cancel continues to be the most valuable run producer for Wilmington. With the two RBI on Sunday, the second baseman extends his total on the season to 60. Cancel leads the Blue Rocks in driving in runs and currently sits third in the Carolina League for RBI totals. Cancel also had his 17th multi-RBI game on Sunday, another stat he leads the team with. The next closest Blue Rock to Cancel is Emmanuel Rivera who has hit 11 multi-RBI games this season.
Wilmington improves to a 34-11 record when scoring four or more runs in a game as opposed to a 13-38 record when they score three runs or less. The first inning has been especially kind to the Blue Rocks this year. When the Rocks score first they hold a 30-22 record and outscore opponents 57-51 in the first inning alone. Wilmington has also put up triple digits in the run column for the third month in a row. After putting up 117 runs in May and 119 in June, the Blue Rocks have 105 runs in the month of July so far with nine more games to play.
Carolina League Stories from July 22, 2018
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- Salem Neutralized 5-0 by Nationals Sunday - Salem RidgeYaks
- Wood Ducks Mount Epic Comeback, But Fall 10-7 - Down East Wood Ducks
- Braymer, Bullpen Blank Red Sox 5-0 - Potomac Nationals
- Winston-Salem Dash: Game Notes (July 22 at Myrtle Beach) - Winston-Salem Dash
- Wilmington Takes Game One Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Blue Rocks Take Game One of Doubleheader - Frederick Keys
- Myrtle Beach Pelicans: Game Notes, July 22 vs. Winston-Salem - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- July 22 - Carolina Mudcats Game Information - Carolina Mudcats
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