The Wilmington Blue Rocks scored multiple runs in four different innings as they routed the Potomac Nationals 11-2 at Pfitzner Stadium. The 11 runs scored by Wilmington marks the first time this season that they have scored double digit runs.
Wilmington’s lead was just a run at 2-1 after four innings but the Blue Rocks scored three runs each in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to blow the game open.
After scoring seven runs in the final two innings last night, the Wilmington bats stayed hot putting up two runs in the top of the first. Whit Merrifield led off with a walk, stole second base, and moved to third on a single by Orlando Calixte. Merrifield scored on a sacrifice fly by Cheslor Cuthbert to give the Blue Rocks the lead. Two batters later Lane Adams brought in Calixte with an RBI groundout to make it 2-0 Blue Rocks.
Potomac got one run back in the home half of the third. With two outs Ricky Hague worked a walk and stole second base. David Freitas brought home Hague with a double to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Wilmington increased their lead in the fifth inning adding three more runs. With one out and runners on first and second, Calixte reached on a fielder’s choice and Roman Hernandez scored on a throwing error by Adrian Sanchez. Calixte then scored on an RBI single by Cheslor Cuthbert to put the Rocks up two runs. The final run of the inning came in when Matt Fields was hit with a pitch with the bases loaded to put the Blue Rocks up 5-1.
Nationals’ starter Robbie Ray (3-4) had control problems throughout walking a career-high six batters. He lasted four and two-thirds innings allowing five runs on four hits and took the loss.
Hague’s second hit of the game produced a run for the P-Nats as his RBI single scored J.P. Ramirez to bring Potomac within 5-2.
But Wilmington poured it on in the sixth inning with their second consecutive three-run inning. The Blue Rocks loaded the bases with nobody out and a run came into score on a double play hit into by Calixte. Cuthbert came to the plate next and connected with his fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot to extend the lead to 8-2.
The Blue Rocks made it three straight three-run innings in the seventh. Fields and Jose Bonilla reached to start the inning with a walk and single respectively. Hernandez’s second hit of the night scored Fields to add to the Wilmington run total. After Luis Piterson picked up an RBI with a groundout, Merrifield singled sharply up the middle to score Hernandez and expand the Rocks lead to 11-2.
Brooks Pounders (1-2) went five and one-third innings for the Blue Rocks for the victory. In his third start with Wilmington, he gave up two runs on seven hits while striking out seven batters.
The P-Nats finish their series against the Wilmington Blue Rocks tomorrow night at 7:05 PM. Trevor Holder (4-2, 3.67) takes the mound for Potomac while the pitcher for Wilmington has yet to be determined. The Potomac Nationals are celebrating their 35th Anniversary of professional baseball and family fun, for all your ticket needs please call the box office at 703-590-2311 or visit www.potomacnationals.com.
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