CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Zimmer Brilliant In Blue Rocks Doubleheader Split

Published on June 29, 2013 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


WILMINGTON, DE-Kyle Zimmer (2-7) did not allow a hit through five frames to lead the Wilmington Blue Rocks to a 2-0 game one victory, but the Potomac Nationals held off a late rally by the Blue Crew to post a 6-5 victory in game two of a Saturday twinbill at Frawley Stadium. With the doubleheader split, the Rocks remain a game over .500 in the in Carolina League Northern Division standings at 5-4, while the club improves its overall record to 38-41 on the campaign.

Zimmer was nothing short of phenomenal. Pitching in game one, the right-hander faced the minimum through five frames, allowing only two men (walk and fielder's choice) to reach during that stretch. Spotting all his pitches well, the right-hander also recorded six punch outs, while striking out the side in the second. However Zimmer would lose the no-hit bid in the sixth. Facing Randolph Oduber, the Nats seven-hole hitter hit a slow ground ball up the third base line that neither Zimmer nor catcher Parker Morin could field. The next batter Mike Gilmartin also recorded a single to center, but the right-hander worked around a second and third jam to keep the shutout intact. In the seventh, he completed it, getting a double-play from Cutter Dykstra to end the game.

Battling against a tough customer in Potomac lefty Robbie Ray, the Rocks aided Zimmer with two home runs. Lane Adams gave Wilmington the lead in the top of the first with a solo blast to left, before Jared Schlehuber added his fourth dinger of the year in the home fourth.

In the nightcap, Wilmington used the same formula to get the game started. Hitting leadoff, Jack Lopez crushed the first pitch he saw over the leftfield fence to give the Blue Rocks a 1-0 lead. It was the Puerto Rico native's first homer since May 11, in game two of a doubleheader against Frederick.

However Potomac responded with a big second inning off game two starter Tyler Sample (1-4). Justin Miller set the table with a one-out double, before Sample plunked Adrian Sanchez to put two men on base. A strikeout of Mike Gilmartin seemed like it would stem the tide, but Cole Leonida cranked a three-run homer beyond the rightfield fence to put the P-Nats on top 3-1. Billy Burns also added an RBI triple, while Potomac added one more run in the fourth on a wild pitch.

The Rocks responded with a rally in the home fourth. Alex McClure doubled and scored on a groundout by Dennis Raben, while Adams walked and came across on an RBI single by Schlehuber. Potomac added a run in the sixth on a solo-shot by Gilmartin, before the Rocks made one final push in the seventh. Following singles by Kenny Swab and Geulin Beltre, Lopez tripled both men home, but P-Nats reliever Robert Benincasa stranded him at third, retiring McClure and Adams to end the game. Starter A.J. Cole earned the win for the Nationals, allowing three runs on four hits over six innings while striking out six.

Wilmington concludes its three-game series with the P-Nats on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Kyle Smith (4-4, 2.87) takes the hill for the Blue Rocks, and will be opposed by Nationals righty Blake Schwartz (6-2, 2.72). First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 from Frawley Stadium, and the broadcast can be heard on 89.7 WGLS-FM, or on Bluerocks.com. For ticket information, call 302-888-BLUE or visit Bluerocks.com.

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Carolina League Stories from June 29, 2013


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